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'GENEEAL BUNKER.' 



FOUR YEARS 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 



"GENERAL BUNKER," 

ONE OP LIEUT. GENERAL GKANT'3 MOST DABINQ AND SUCCESSITUL SCOUTS. 



BEING A NARRATIVE OP THE THBILLINO ADVENTURES, NARROW ESCAPES, 

NOBLE DARING, AND AMUSING INCIDENTS IN THE EXPERIENCE 

OF CORPORAL RUGGLES DURING FOUR YEARS' SERVICE 

AS A SCOUT AND SPY FOR THE FEDERAL ARMY; 

EMBRACING HIS SERVICES FOR 
TWELVE OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED GENERALS IN THE U. B. ABUY. 



By E. C. DOTNTlSrS, 

ItAJOa OS THE TWENTIETH OHIO VETERAN VOLDNTEEK rWFANTBY. 



M!3i:BfeHfe^. 



ZANESYILLB, OHIO: 
PUBLISHED BY HUGH DUNNE, 

NOETH FOUBTH STREET, ADJOINING CoURT HOUSK. 

1866. 



EGo8 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by 

E. C. DOWNS, 

In the Clerk'8 Office of the United States District Court, for the Southern District of Ohio. 



STEREOTYPED AT THE 

FBANKLIN TYPE FOUNDET, 

CINCINNATI, 0. 



Ui 



» 



> 



TO 



§ieutenant||eneral §^ 1^ fRANT, 



Whose wndaxmted energy, heroic valor, superior geyieralship, 

a/tid devotion to his country, 

ha/»e proved, him, 

'^HE ^IGHT ^AN IN THE ^IGHT ^LACE," 

A-nd icon for him 

And to the gallant Officers and Soldiers 
who have nobly assisted in sustaining our glorious natiomiaMty 
" by crushing the great rebellion, 

THIS rozzrxE is bjespjectfttilt dedicateo. 



PREFACE. 



It was with much difficulty that I was induced 
to give to the public a narrative of my experience as 
a scout and spy. It was the intense inseterest with 
which the people have listened to my narratives, 
whenever I have related them, and their earnest 
entreaties to have them published, that have pre- 
vailed upon me to do so. 

I entered the army from purely patriotic motives. 
I had no vain ambition to gratify, but simply a 
desire to sustain and perpetuate the noble institu- 
tions that had been purchased by the blood of our 
fathers. I valued the cause of liberty as well worth 
all the sacrifice that it might cost to save it. I saw 
at once that the conflict was to be one involving 
great principles, and that in the end Truth and Jus- 
tice mtcsf prevail. 

The part that I have borne in putting down the 
great rebellion is the one that naturally fell to me 
by the force of circumstances, and entirely unsolic- 
ited. My relation in the affairs of life seems to 

(iii^ 



IV PREFACE. 



have been such as to have just adapted me to that 
part that fell to my lot to act. 

I have, without doubt, been indiscreet at times. 
Who has not? But the reader must remember that 
he who goes from the peaceful pursuits of life, for 
the first time, to engage in the art of war, does so 
with a lack of experience. Soldiering was not my 
tijade. War is demoralizing in its tendency. This 
fact, I trust, will very much lessen any feelings of 
prejudice that may arise, in the course of these nar- 
ratives, from passages clothed with the rough-and- 
tumble of army life. 

Rough language and blunt manners are charac- 
teristics of war, because its tendency is to destroy 
the finer feelings of our natures. Some of the lan- 
guage used is of that character, and it would fail 
to be a truthful representation of the reality if ren- 
dered less so. The incide'nts that I have narrated 
are all of them facts that have occurred in my ex- 
perience, and, without further apology, I submit them 
to an indulgent public. 

Lorain Ruggles. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Parentage — Early discipline — Childhood incidents — Subsequent 
occupations — Driven from Mississippi — Works on rebel fortifi- 
cations — Escape to Illinois — Enlists as a soldier — Supposed to 
have deserted — How he got his name — Examination by the Sur- 
geon — Roster of the Regiment • H 

CHAPTER II. 

Moves to Cincinnati — Detailed to guard the forts — Meets a se- 
cesh lady — First scout — Unexpected visit of the Colonel — 
The drill — Bad report — The mischief investigated — Attempts 
to discover the rogues — Innocent man accused — The accusers 
skedaddle — Who got the chickens 22 

CHAPTER III. 

«* Marching orders" — Arrives at Fort Donelson — The surren- 
der — Goes North with prisoners — Meets an old friend as a 
rebel Captain — The Captain attempts to bribe him — Expedi- 
tion up the Tennessee River — Touching incident — Battle of 
Shiloh — Captures an Enfield — Recommended as a scout.... 30 

CHAPTER IV. 

Rumored attack upon Grand Junction — "General Bunker" sent out 
as spy — Passes himself as a rebel soldier — Falls in with rebel 
cavalry — Visits a rebel camp — Attempts to deprive him of his 
revolver — Discovers a Yankee forage party — Undertakes to re- 
turn — Captured by Yankees, and robbed of his revolver and 
money — Passes as a rebel spy — Sent to the Provost-marshal — 
Sent to General Hurlbut — Returned to Grand Junction... 38 

(vii) 



VIU CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER V. 

Fired at by a citizen — The sick overseer — How he was cured — 
Pickets fired on — Trip to White Church — Visits General Van 
Dorn — Meets a rebel spy — Reports to General Leggett — Grand 
Junction evacuated^Again sees the rebel spy — Attempt to ar- 
rest him — Drinks wine with the rebel General Jackson — Dis- 
covers a hole in the fence 53 

CHAPTER VI. 

The value of the Oath — Attempt to take " Bunker's " life — Sent 
to Grand Junction — The hazardous ride — Shoots the picket — 
The chase — Unfortunate occurrence — The chase abandoned — • 
Meets with guerrillas — They invite him to drink — Renewed 
vigilance— The battle of Middleburg 69 

CHAPTER VII. 

Attempts to visit the enemy's camp — Learns the strength and po- 
sition of the enemy — Return intercepted — Perilous situation — 
Loses his mule — Frightened by men of his own regiment — The 
plan to capture the enemy — The negro's report — The forces 
discovered — Disposes of a rebel picket — Reports his discov- 
ery 76 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Sent to find the enemy's pickets — Suspicious circumstance — Sick 
child — Captures three citizens standing picket — Releases them — 
Falls asleep — Perilous situation — Fortunate turn of afi"airs — 
Attack on the pickets — A very pious man — He proves a rebel 
spy 85 

CHAPTER IX. 

Sent to Somerville — Finds himself a prisoner — Taken to Cold 
Water — Meets with old acquaintances — Is paroled — Runs with 
the 2d Arkansas Cavalry — Goes to Lumpkins' Mills — Interview 
with General Price — Stays all night with his brother, the rebel 
General — Return to Bolivar — Reports to General Ross — " Steals 
the Colonel's horse," and returns to the enemy — Runs away 
from the enemy 93 



CONTENTS. IX 

CHAPTER X. 

Sent to Grand Junction to capture guerrillas — Suspicious inci- 
dent — Strategy to get out the guerrillas — Orders disobeyed — 
The rebel flag — The very kind secesh lady — Tho mistake — Out 
of the frying-pan into the fire — Guerrillas watching for them — 
The attack — The prisoner — Result of the trio 103 

CHAPTER XI. 

Sent to Lagrange — Observes two cavalrymen — Arrival at La- 
grange — Waits for the cavalry — Accompanies them out — Takes 
his departure — Is pursued — Evades the pursuit — Finds himself 
cornered — Crosses the Cypress Swamp — Robbed by outlaws — 
Disloyal citizen — The fate of the robbers 115 

CHAPTER XII. 

Starts to find General Bragg's forces—" Wools " the secesh farmer 
— Receives a bottle of rum — Guerrillas washing stockings — 
Finds Bragg's advance — Recognized as a Yankee spy — Ordered 
ofi" his mule to be shot — The clamor of the crowd — Recognized 
as a Confederate spy — Rebel Surgeon vouches for him — Is re- 
leased — Gray-headed rebel brought to justice — The Sutler of 
the 2d Arkansas Cavalry a prisoner — What became of the guer- 
rillas that were washing stockings 127 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Reconnoiters Hickory Flats with a squad of seven men — Shoots 
at the mark — Orders to march with two days' rations — Cause 
of the alarm — Reconnoiter beyond Whitesville — Major Mudd's 
trap — "Bunker" entices the rebs into it — Rides into the trap 
behind a rebel Captain — Sent out beyond Pocahontas — Passes 
as a rebel artillerist — Secesh citizen stands guard for him — 
The very kind secesh lady — The anxious wife — Discovers 
guerrillas burning a human being :■ 139 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Starts on a trip for General Lauman — His instructions — A Con- 
federate widow — Discovers a squad of rebel soldiers — Captures 
part of their arms — Learns the whereabouts of guerrillas — At- 
tempt to capture them — Guerrillas escape — Captures a prisoner 
— Cause of guerrillas' escape — The "General" and squad get 
arrested — The charges and specificationa 157 



X CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XV. 

Unfortunate state of affairs — Informality of charge and specifica- 
tions — Assistance of friends — Fails to get a trial — Gloomy 
prospects — Evidence accumulates — Guard-house incident — The 
"General" concludes to help himself — Narrow escape from 
guerrillas — The capture — Reaches his regiment — Himself and 
squad released 169 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Starts for Grenada — Instructions — Is captured — Returns to "Water 
Valley — Starts again — Arrives at Grenada — Condition of Price's 
army — He returns — Again sent to Grenada — Proposes some 
fun — Plan of strategy — Plan unnecessary — Returns with rebel 
cavalry — Bivouac at Big Springs — The attack — More fun than 
bargained for — The result 182 

CHAPTER XVII. 

The forage party — Runaways — Daring scout — Narrow escape — The 
line of battle — Safe return — Scout reports — Assumes the char- 
acter of a rebel prisoner — Finds a friend — How he introduced 
himself — "Where he belongs — The burning of Holly Springs — 
The heroine — "What she captured — Shows partiality — Offers as- 
sistance — Rebel doctor executed 192 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
Arrival in Memphis — Daring robbery — Detailed by the Provost- 
marshal General — Assumes the character of a rebel Major — Se- 
cesh acquaintances — Captures a rebel mail — A jollification — A 
rebel trader — Plan to run the pickets — The escape of the out- 
laws 204 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Reports to Major-General McPherson — Instructions — Disguise — 
Starts for Vicksburg — Changes his route — Reports to General 
Denver — Acquaintance with a cotton-buyer — Plan to make 
money — Visits guerrilla Sol. Street — The arrangement con- 
summated — Visit to General Price — Arrival at .Jackson — 
Robbed of his field-glasses — Introduction to President Davis — 
Visit to Vicksburg — Visit to Edwards' Station — Meets his 
bear-huntingr comrades — Visits Black River bridge — Robbed 



CONTENTS. Xi 

of his horse — The return — Reports to General McPherson — 
Reports to General Grant 217 

CHAPTER XX. 

Return to Mississippi — Instructions — Visit to Troy — Movement of 
cavalry — Reports to General Denver — Is arrested — Federal cav- 
alry driven back — Is released — Visits Greenwood — Journey to 
the Mississippi River — The perilous crossing — Again arrested — 
Interview with Gen. Prentiss — Takes the oath of allegiance — 
Meets a friend — Makes his escape — Reports to Gen. Grant. . 233 

CHAPTER XXI. 

Return to the regiment — The Henry rifle — The march from Mil- 
liken's Bend — The tug of war — The army crosses the Missis- 
sippi — Capture of Port Gibson — Battle of Raymond — Amusing 
Capture — The charge on Jackson — Battle of Champion Hills — 
The rebel courier — Sharp-shooting — The gallant charge — The 
march to Vicksburg — The place besieged 245 

CHAPTER XXII. 

First sharp-shooting at Vicksburg — Silences two guns — The rifle- 
pit — Shoots a Carolinian — The Carolinian's comrade — Outshoots a 
squad of sixteen — The defiant rebel — Shoots for Gens. McPher- 
son and Logan — Beats the Parrot rifles — Joke on the Adjutant- 
General — Visit to Admiral Porter — The French spy — The disclo- 
sures — Capture of a rebel dispatch — The fate of the spy.. 259 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

Sent for by General Grant — Instructions — Crosses Black River — 
Is captured by rebel cavalry — Sent to General DeVieu — The 
interview — Passes as Johnston's spy — The attempt to escape — 
The pursuit — Fired at by Federal pickets — Again fired at by 
the enemy — The pursuers driven back — Again fired at by Fed- 
eral pickets — The alarm — Reports to General Osterhaus — Re- 
ports to General Grant 275 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Visit to Chickasaw Landing — Surrender of Vicksburg — Visit to the 

city — The paroled Major— The Yankee trick — Returns to Vicks- 

jjTJlrg — Made detective — Is sent to Yazoo City — Attends a guerrilla 

organization — Makes them a speech — Returns to Vicksburg. 286 



XU CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXV. 

Taken sick with the ague — Encounters his Satanic Majesty — The 
Devil afraid of General G-rant — Expedition to Bogue Chitto 
Creek — Captures a rebel Colonel — Enlists as a veteran — Makes 
a speech to the soldiers 295 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

Frightened by a dead Colonel — Burns Confederate corn in face 
of the enemy — Gets into a tight place — A frightened Major — 
Captures information — A headstrong Captain gobbled up — 
Captures a rebel Provost-marshal General — Encounter with 
General Ross' cavalry — A strange adventure — Races with a 
rebel Colonel — A hard-hearted woman 305 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

Starts home on veteran furlough — Trouble at the table — BluflFs 
the Captain— Suspected of being a rebel spy — Commissioned 
officer serves him at the table — Kind attentions at home — Si- 
lences an old maid — Returns to the front — Shot at twenty-one 
times — The remedy — A Union lady — The dwarf weaver — The 
weaver beheaded — Goes into Marietta as a spy — Confederate 
side of the lines — Escape from the rebs — General McPherson's 
death — Hard fighting 331 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Groes to Ohio to recruit — Raises twenty-one men — Difficulty with 
the Governor — Visits Lieutenant-General Grant — Order from 
the War Department — Again in difficulty — Runs away from the 
Governor — Reports to General Sherman — Georgia raid — An 
amusing coincident — Reports to General Granger, at Mobile — 
Reports to General Grierson, in Texas — Makes a trip to the 
Upper Colorado — Incident at General Grant's head-quarters — 
The war over 358 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

Ludicrous effect of fear — A Corporal outflanks a Captain— A good 
Union man — A touching appeal — A scene among the wounded — 
An old Secesh discovers his mistake — Suggestions from experi- 
ence — Concluding thoughts 390 



INTRODUCTION. 



Lorain Ruggles was enlisted by me in Decem- 
ber, 1861, at Columbus, Ohio. The name of " Gen- 
eral Bunker " was given to him by the men in his 
company, and it was by that name that he was most 
generally known in the army, and very many knew 
him by no other name. 

Mr. Ruggles is a man possessed of great pres- 
ence of mind, a strong memory, and not a little 
of native wit, and great power of physical endur- 
ance. These, with his knowledge of the Southern 
people and country, admirably fitted him for the 
duties of a scout. 

The narratives here related are of facts that ac- 
tually occurred in his experience, and very many of 
them are as well authenticated as any facts in history 
can be. I^jaere has been no aim at making this a 



6 INTRODUCTION. 

work of general history, but simply a narrative of 
personal experience, coupled with only so much of 

the general history of the war as is necessary to ex- 

I* 

plain the cause of the events that transpired in his 
experience. Many of these are incidents of daring 
that are without parallel in the scout service. The 
following testimonials of the value of his services 
and the truthfulness of his reports will be read with 
interest : 

" Head-quarters 1st Brigade, 3d Division, ") 
"17th Army Corps, December, 11, 1863. ) 

^^ Captain E. C. Downs, 20th Ohio: 

" Captain — I have known Mr. Ruggles since December, 1861, 
when your company was first mustered. I remember very well his 
first expedition as a spy, in June, 1862, when the 20th was at 
Grand Junction, then an exposed outpost, under command of Gen- 
eral Leggett. 

"Since that time he has been continually employed on such 
duty, often on expeditions of extreme hazard. He has shown as 
much address as daring. Many a camp-fire has been enlivened 
with stories of his adventures while commanding officers have set 
high value upon his reports. 

*'I remember Mr. Ruggles as one of our best sharp-shooters in the 
war. His skill as a sharp-shooter, as well as scout, often got him 
leave to go out from the line on somewhat independent duty. At 
Champion Hills I gave him leave to go out with company A, 
which was sent out as skirmishers to open the way for an advance, 
on account of his skill. 

"At the siege of Vicksburg, he had a special permanent per- 
mission to be among the sharp-shooters on the advanced lines. On 
the day of the general but unsuccessful charge iu May, he was 



INTRODUCTION. 7 

mainly instrumental in driving away tlie artillerists from two of 
the enemy's guns on the right of the Jackson road. 

" His Henry rifle, given to him hy Greneral Grant, was one of 
the marked pieces among.the sharp-shooters of the 17th Corps at 
that siege. 

" Very respectfully, your ob't serv't, 

" M. F. Force, 
'' Brig.-Genl Vols., late Colonel 20ih Ohio.'' 



"Head-quarters 3d Div., 17th Army Corps,") 
"ViCKSBURG, Miss., December 7, 1863. j 
^'Captain E. C. Downs: 

"Dear Sir — Mr. Ruggles (or 'General Bunker,' as he is bet- 
ter known) has acted as scout and spy for me on very many oc- 
casions since the early part of June, 1862, and is now acting in 
that capacity. In this character he has been remarkably success- 
ful, seldom ever failing to satisfactorily accomplish the mission on 
which he was sent. 

»" Many scenes of his life as a spy are intensely interesting. It 
has been my fortune to meet in life' very few persons who could 
so successfully act an assumed character. 

"At some future time, I shall probably be at liberty to relate 
a few incidents of considerable interest in his career, of which he 
himself is as yet ignorant. 

"Very respectfully, 

" M. D. Legqett, 
" Brigadier -General. 



" Memphis, Tenn., November 28, 1863. 
" Captain E. C. Doicns : 

"Dear Sir — You wrote me sometime since, inquiring as to the 
services of Mr. Ruggles as a scout and spy for the Union army. 
In reply I would state that Mr. Ruggles was a superior man for 
the work assigned him, and the information obtained through him 
of the movements of the enemy was always reliable. 



8 INTRODUCTION. 

" In the discharge of his duties, he was active, energetic, and 
heroically brave. His gallantry in the service deserves honorable 
mention in the work of which you speak. 

* I am truly yours, etc., 

"Leeman F. Koss." 



" Head-quarters 17th Army Corps 
" Department op the Tennessee, 
" ViCKSBURG, Miss., December 15, 1863. 

" To whom it may concern: 

" This is to certify that Mr. Ruggles has been employed by me at 
various times during the past year, and I have always found him 
brave, adventurous, and truthful. 

" His services as a scout have been very important, and he de- 
serves well of the military authorities. 

" Jas. B. McPherson, 

" Major- General.^' 



"Zanesville, 0., July 31, 1866. ' 
" Major E. C. Downs : 

" Dear Sir — It affords me pleasure to state that I am per- 
sonally acquainted with Mr. Lorain Ruggles, known in the army 
as ' General Bunker.' He belonged to my command, and I know 
he was regarded as one of the most intrepid scouts in the 17th 
Army Corps. He was in high favor with all our general officers, 
and I think rendered more efficient service in the capacity of 
scout and spy than any man with whom I am acquainted. He 
certainly deserves well of his country. 

" I never knew him to give false intelligence, and in his forth- 
coming work should recommend it as a truthful narrative of his 
personal adventures, many of which I am known to. 

<' G. F. Wiles, 
" Late Colonel 78th 0. V. V. I., and Brevet Brig.-Generaiy 



f INTRODUCTION. 9 

"Carrollton, Ohio, June 27, 18G6. 
*' Major E. C. Downs, Zanesville, Ohio : 

" Major — I am glad to add my testimony to the reputation of 
' Bunker ' as a scout and spy. I believe him to have been the 
most reliable and successful scout in the Western army. 

"'Bunker' had the confidence of Lieut. -General Grant and 
Major-Generals McPherson and Logan, which he earned by skill- 
ful labor during the campaign which resulted in the capture of 
Vicksburg and its garrison. ' Bunker ' deserves well of his coun- 
try. Yours truly, 

" B. F. Potts, 
" Late Brevet 3Iajor- General JJ. S. Vols." 



"Carbondale, III., July 1, 1866. 
" Major Downs : 

"Dear Sir — I am well acquainted with Mr. Buggies, or, as 
we called him in the army, ' General Bunker.' He was certainly a 
very excellent scout, and performed great service in that branch 
of duties. He served as scout for me, as well as for many others, 
and at all times performed his part well, ran great risks ; was not 
only a good scout, but one of the best sharp-shooters perhaps in 
the army. 

*' Yours truly, 

"John A. Logan," 



" Washington, D. C, July 9, 1865. 
" Major E. G. Downs : 

" Dear Sir — In the work of which you speak, you are at lib- 
erty to refer to me concerning the value of the services rendered 
by Mr. Buggies as a scout and spy. His reports were always re- 
liable, and were held in high estimation by me, 
" Yours truly, 

"U. S, Grant, 
'■^ Lieutenant- General U. S. A." 

Such testimonials as the foregoing give the nar- 
ratives contained in the following pages a reputa- 



10 INTRODUCTION. 

tion of reliability that can not be doubted. When- 
ever a mission of great danger was to be executed, 
Mr. Ruggles was the man that was usually chosen 
to perform it. His quick comprehension and heroic 
daring enabled him to address himself to the work, 
which he rarely ever failed to accomplish. Often 
the boldness of his designs proved to be the reason 
of his success. Very few have equaled, while none 
have excelled, him in that line of duty. Many of 
the incidents in his experience are so wonderful that 
in them the "truth seems stranger than fiction." 

The Author. 



FOUR YEARS A SCOUT AND SPY. 



CHAPTER I. 

Parentage — Early discipline — Childhood incidents — Subsequent 
occupations — Driven from Mississippi — Works on rebel foritifi- 
cations — Escape to Illinois — Enlists as a soldier — Supposed to 
have deserted — How he got his name — Examination by the Sur- 
geon — Roster of the Regiment. 

I WAS born in the town of Copley, in what is now 
known as Summit County, Ohio, on the 17th day of 
June, 1823, and at the time that I entered the army 
I was thirty-nine years of age. My father's name 
was Alfred Ruggles. At the time of his death he 
was living with his second wife. His family num- 
bered twelve sons and seven daughters. I am the 
youngest of seven children by my father's second 
wife. 

My father was a blacksmith by trade, and all of 
his sons, except myself, were learned the trade, un- 
der his personal instruction. Lorenzo Ruggles, my 
father's second son by his first wife, after having 
finished his trade, was sent to college and educated. 
He is the General Ruggles of the Confederate army. 

(11) 



12 FOUR YEARS 

When I was ten years of age my father died, leaving 
a large farm disposed of by a will. The children 
went to law, and spent the entire property in break- 
ing the will and settling the estate. In consequence 
of that I was thrown upon my own labor for my 
support at a very early age. 

My father was an old-fashioned strict disciplina- 
rian ; in the government of his family "he ruled with 
an iron hand." His government was not only rigid 
but chilling. The deviation of a hair from the 
paternal command was usually followed by a whip- 
ping, and sometimes one was administered without 
proper investigation. 

People often ask me, "WTiat is the essential qual- 
ification of a good spy ? " My answer is, " It requires 
an accom])lished liar.^^ I mean by that, a man that 
can successfully practice deception. I do not mean by 
that that a man must be an habitual liar. There is 
nothing that I despise more than a man whose word 
can not be relied upon. Whether deception, as I 
have practiced it in the discharge o^ my duty as a 
spy, is a moral wrong, I shall not here attempt to 
argue. Of this much I am sure: it has many 
times saved my life, and perhaps the lives of thou- 
sands of others, besides saving immense sums of 
money to the Government. 

Whatever of the art of deception I possess has 
been somewhat shaped by the chilling discipline ad- 
ministered to me by my father. An incident or two 
from my early life will serve to show what that disci- 
pline was, and what eifect it may have had in my 
after career. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 13 

In my childhood days I was noted as "a mis- 
chievous boy." I suppose that means that I was 
constantly devising or hunting some sort of diversion. 
My father usually kept wrought nails of his own 
manufacture to sell to his customers. These I used 
to get and drive into the fence, firewood, shade-trees, 
or any thing else that came in my way. This my 
father had forbidden me to do, but sometimes the 
impulse of the moment would cause me to break 
over, and as often I would be whipped for my diso- 
bedience. 

One day, as my father was going away from home 
he charged me particularly not to go into the shop 
during his absence. While he was gone I became 
so much interested in play that I never thought of 
going to the shop. Near the close of the day my 
father returned, and it so happened that he needed 
a few wrought nails to use the first thing after his 
arrival. On going to the shop after some, he found 
his nail-box empty. His last impression, on leaving, 
had been that I wmdd get them, and now his first 
impression was that I had got them. Consequently, 
I was immediately summoned to give an account of 
them. 

" My son, what made you go into the shop during 
my absence?" inquired my father. 

"Father, I did not go into the shop," I replied, 

" Somebody has been there and carried off my 
nails. ]!*J'obody else was here but you ; you must he 
the one that got them." 

"I did not get them, father; neither did I go to 
the shop. I certainly did not." 



14 FOUR YEARS 

My father knew that I had been in the habit of 
getting them, and, though he had never known me 
to tell him a willful lie, nevertheless, he thought that 
I had carried off his nails. I had not only disobeyed, 
but had lied about it. It was too aggravated an 
offense to let pass without punishment. Taking a 
hickory gun-wiper that stood in a corner of the shop, 
he gave me a severe whipping, and then said, " Lo- 
rain, what did you do with the nails ? " Again I 
denied getting them, and again he whipped me, which 
was repeated several times. At length "forbearance 
ceased to be a virtue" — at least, my poor back _/e/^ 
so — and I said to him, " Father, if you won't whip 
me any more, I'll tell you what I did with them." 
" Well, what did you do with them ? " 
"/ drove them into the grind-stone hlocJc.'''' 
After having talked to me about the wickedness 
of telling a lie, he sent me into the house, little 
thinking that he had been forcing me to tell one. 

The next morning, as I was standing by, a cus- 
tomer entered the shop for some nails. He had 
called the dciy before, and finding nobody present, 
and needing them for immediate use, took all that 
he could find, weighed them, and returned home. 
"There, father," said I, "I told you that I did not 
get your nails ! " His heart smote him for the 
whipping that he had given me, and he wept like a 
child. The incident, however, had its effect, and not 
many days passed until I was again placed on trial. 
Myself and sister Electa attended the district 
school. Our nearest neighbor, Mr. Moss, had a 
daughter about the age of my sister, who used to at- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 15 

tend the same school ; her name was Cordelia. She 
was a very proud-spirited girl, and improved every 
opportunity to show off. Her mother bought her a 
new work-pocket ; this she would frequently display, 
and say to my sister, in a proud, haughty way, " You 
haint got no new work-pocket bought out of the 
store." It displeased me considerably to have her 
assume to be any better than my sister; so I re- 
solved to stop it at the first opportunity. 

One day, as we were returning from school we es- 
pied a squirrel that had taken refuge in a small tree 
by the roadside. Cordelia laid her work-pocket at 
the roots of the tree, and she and my sister mounted 
the fence, and commenced to climb the tree to catch 
it. Discovering the work-pocket, I picked it up un- 
perceived, and started on. Coming to a bank of 
loose earth, where a tree had been recently uprooted 
by the wind, I buried it, and then returned toward 
my companions and called to them to come along. 
The girls had started to overtake me, when Cordelia, 
missing her work-pocket, returned to get it. She 
searched for it a long time, but without success. 
Failing to find it, she accused me of getting it, which 
I stoutly denied. At last, complaint was made to 
my father. Both of the girls had seen it lying near 
the tree, but neither of them had seen me have it. 
My father asked me what I had done with it ; but 
I denied having seen it. " You must have taken it," 
said the old man, "for nobody else was there that 
could have taken it." 

" I must have got the nails too," I replied. This 
outflanked him ; he remembered having whijiped me 



16 FOUR YEARS 

once wrongfully, and feared a repetition of tlie same 
thing. The result was I evaded punishment, and 
my father never found out what I had done with 
the work-pocket. 

The next summer, after my father's death, I hired 
out on board of one of the packet-boats running on 
the Ohio Canal, as cabin-boy. I continued for three 
summers to follow the canal in that capacity, and 
for four summers following I was a canal driver. 
The last three seasons I drove the same team, and 
at the end of the third season I received from the 
Transportation Company a prize of ten dollars for 
having kept my team in the best order. 

The winter following, my seventh season on the 
canal, I went down the Mississippi River to Arkan- 
sas, and spent the season chopping steamboat wood. 
While thus employed on Island Twenty-eight, I had 
the fortune to kill a very large black bear, which 
I sold to a steamboat captain for what seemed to 
me at that time a great price. The incident turned 
my attention to trapping and bear-hunting. I spent 
several successive winters in hunting and trapping in 
the wilds of Arkansas. In the winter of 1851 and 
1852 I was employed in hunting wild hogs in the 
Yazoo bottoms for a man in Vicksburg, Miss. I 
was thus engaged at the same time that the fourteen 
French hunters were killed by wild hogs in the Yazoo 
bottoms. I spent one jenr as an overseer for Mr. 
James Ford, of Memphis, Tenn., on the French pal- 
ace plantation, near the fort of Island No. 60. My 
summers were usually spent on the Mississippi and 
its tributaries. In the summer of 1859 I went to 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 17 

Pike's Peak, and thence to Salt Lake. The winter 
of 1860 and 1861 I was at work on White River, 
Ark., and had several hands at work with me, filling 
a contract for shingles for a man by the name of 
Hanner, in Bolivar County, Mississippi. 

In the spring, I commenced to deliver the shingles, 
but Mr. Hanner refused to receive them, on the 
ground that the country was engaged in war. His 
refusal to receive them provoked me, and I said to 
him, "All you need is a good thrashing, and then 
you'll behave yourself and not talk so." That en- 
raged him, and he turned and left me, muttering 
vengeance as he went. An hour later he returned 
with a party of men, threatening to hang me if he 
should catch me, but I was not to be found. Mr. 
Hanner did not accuse me of being an abolitionist or 
a Northern man. He w^as soon after made Colonel 
of the 17th Mississippi Zouaves. Knowing that my 
life ^vas in danger there, I made my way to Mem- 
phis, Tenn. 

At Memphis, Tenn., I found the secession element 
decidedly too hot for me. I saw no other way for 
me to do but "aid and comfort" the secession 
movement or leave the country. 

Lying at the levee was a steamboat just getting 
up steam, destined, it was said, for St. Louis, Mo. 
She had on board a cargo of picks, spades, wheelbar- 
rows, and whisky. I took passage in her and went to 
Columbus, Ky., and there she stopped and commenced 
to discharge her cargo. I soon learned that she was 
going no further. 

At that place I came across Mr. James Ford, for 
2 



18 FOUR YEARS 

whom I had been an overseer on the French palace 
plantation. He gave me a warm greeting, and said 
that he was glad that I had come. He was at that 
time in command of the post, and engaged in forti- 
fying the place. He persuaded me to take charge 
of a gang of negroes and work on the forts, which 
I did, to kill all suspicion until an opportunity oc- 
curred for me to escape. When I had been there 
engaged for live days, the steamboat Amelia came 
up the river and landed, on her way to Cairo, 111. 
I happened to know the pilot, and told him that I 
was in a tight place, and by his assistance I se- 
creted myself on board the boat and went to Cairo. 
It was the last steamer that was allowed to pass by 
Columbus, Ky., until the place was captured by the 
Federal army. 

From Cairo I went to Toledo, 0. Recruiting for 
the Federal army was going on rapidly all over the 
North. In the fall of 1861 I visited the principal 
cities in Ohio, in search of a company of sharp- 
shooters, in which to enlist. I found several such 
organizations, but none of them were officered by 
men that suited me. In the month of December, 
while at Columbus, Ohio, I met Lieutenant Downs, of 
the 20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with a squad of ten 
men, on his way to Trumbull County to recruit. 
Liking his appearance and that of his men, I enlisted, 
on condition that he would furnish me with an En- 
field rifle. 

From Columbus we took the first train of cars to 
Cleveland; it was late in the evening when we 
arrived. Passing a boot and shoe store that was yet 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 19 

open, I obtained leave of the Lieutenant to stop and 
purchase a pair of boots before going to our place 
of lodging. The Lieutenant and party did not stop, 
but continued on to the hotel where we were to 
stop. After having purchased a pair of boots, I 
got into an interesting conversation with the shop- 
keeper, and remained somewhat longer than was 
necessary. I had been intrusted to the care of Cor- 
poral Grinnell by the Lieutenant, and my long 
absence had created a suspicion in the mind of the 
Corporal that I had deserted. He had also heard 
Lieutenant Bostwick, while in Columbus, advise 
Lieutenant Downs not to enlist me, for fear I would 
run away. At last he started out with three men 
in search of me, and found me still at the shop. I 
have since had many a joke with Lieutenant Bost- 
wick and Corporal Grinnell about their suspecting 
that I would desert. They have been among my 
warmest friends in the army. The next morning, 
at eleven o'clock, we reached Warren. At that 
place the party dispersed to their homes, and I was 
furnished boarding at the Eagle House, where I 
remained for ten days. 

On Monday, January 8, 1862, we met to go to the 
regiment, then at Camp King, near Covington, Ky. 
The squad had increased by accession of recruits 
to twenty men. Our journey passed off pleasantly, 
and in two days' time we reached our regiment. 
The party that went home with the Lieutenant had 
carried their knapsacks with them; not knowing at 
that time the name for them, I asked the Lieuten- 
ant if he had a "Bunker Hill" for me to wear on 



20 FOUR YEARS 

my back. From that I received the name of 
"Bunker," and have been more generally known 
by that name in the army than any other. 

The next morning after our arrival in camp, we 
were marched over to the Surgeon's quarters for 
examination. From a list of names that the Lieu- 
tenant had handed him, the Surgeon called "Lo- 
rain Ruggles!" 

"Here I am, Doctor," I answered; "what do 
you want of me?" 

"I want to examine you, and see if you are 
sound." 

" Oh, that 's it, is it. You need not be to that 
trouble, I 'm sound enough." 

" Well, but I must see whether you are sound 
or not ; hold out your hands ; work your fingers ; 
touch your hands over your head." 

Going through the motions, I added, " Oh, I tell 
you that I am all rigid. ''^ 

"Are you ruptured," he continued. 

^^Bujptured! what is that?" 

"Are you bursted?" 

" No, I ain't quite busted yet ; I 've a couple of 
dollars left." 

"You don't understand me, Mr. Ruggles," con- 
tinued the surgeon, placing his hands on my abdo- 
men. " Are your bowels all right? " 

" Oh, I understand you now ! They are a little thin ; 
the rations donUt relish well yet^ 

The doctov succeeded at last in making me under- 
stand, and having finished his examination, we were 
accepted as a soldier in the United States army. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 



21 



Like all other recruits, as soon as mustered in I 
was placed under drill. To me the "steps" and 
"facings," "times" and "motions," were perfectly 
incomprehensible. I formed a dislike to them that 
I could never get over. I was expert in the forest 
at handling my piece, and I did not see why the 
same times and motions that would kill a bear 
would not kill a "reb." 

The following is a list of the commissioned offi- 
cers that were in the 20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry 
at the time that I entered it: 

Charles Whittlest, Colonel, 

M. F. Force, Lt. Colonel, 

J. N. McElroy, Major, 

E. L. Hill, Surgeon, 

J. G. Purple, Asst. Surgeon, 

E. N. Owen, Adjutant, 

P. M. Hitchcock, Qr. -Master, 

James Knapp, Chaplain. 



Elisha Hiatt, 


Captain 


Co. A. 


W. W. Updegraff, 


Captain 


Co. F. 


William Eogers, 


1st Lt. 


a 


11 


D. R. Hume, 


1st Lt. 






L. N. Ayres, 


2dLt. 


(( 


11 


W. D. Neal, 


2dLt. 






John C. Fry, 


Captain 


(1 


B. 


J. N. Cassel, 


Captain 




G 


A. J. Edwards, 


1st Lt. 


(I 


11 


G. L. Melick, 


1 St Lt. 






R. M. Colby, 


2dLt 


u 


11 


Nathan Bostwick 


2dLt. 






J. M. McCoy, 


Captain 


a 


C. 


James Powers, 


Captain 




H 


Z. P. Atkins, 


IstLt. 


(( 


II 


E. C. Downs, 


1st Lt. 






Conrad Garris, 


2dLt. 


II 


II 


H. M. Davis, 


2dLt. 






C. 11. McElroy, 


Captain 


II 


r>. 


F. M. Shaklee, 


Captain 




I. 


V. T. Hills, 


1st Lt. 


II 


II 


Harrison Wilson, 


1st Lt. 






Henry Sherman, 


2dLt. 


II 


II 


W. L. Waddell, 


2d Lt. 






George Rogers, 


Captain 


II 


E. 


Abraham Kaga, 


Captain 




K 


B. A. F. Greer, 


IstLt. 


II 


II 


David Rhinehart, 


1st Lt. 






W. H. Jacobs, 


2dLt. 


<i 


li 


Seneca Hale, 


2dLt. 







22 FOUR YEARS 



CHAPTER II. 

Moves to Cincinnati — Detailed to guard the forts — Meets a se- 
cesh lady — First scout — Unexpected visit of the Colonel — 
The drill — Bad report — The mischief investigated — Attempts 
to discover the rogues — Innocent man accused — The accusers 
skedaddle — Who got the chickens. 

Shoetly after I joined the regiment it moved to 
the city barracks in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the 
duty of the regiment at that time to guard the for- 
tifications that had been built to protect the cities 
of Cincinnati, Covington, and Newport. Not long 
after we arrived at the barracks, company "H," to 
which I belonged, was detailed for a three days' 
tour at guarding the line of defenses. Lieutenant 
Downs, with a squad consisting of three sergeants 
and twenty-seven men, were sent to guard that part 
of the defenses known as the Three-mile Batteries. 
I was one of the squad. 

These batteries formed a chain of defenses run- 
ning eastward from the Licking River at a distance 
of two miles and a half south of the city of New- 
port. Beginning near the Licking River, was situ- 
ated Fort Shaler; a mile and a half east was Fort 
Stuart, and a mile and a half east of that was 
Beechwoods Battery. 

The detail was divided into three squads, of a 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 23 

sergeant and nine men each, for each of the three 
forts. I was one of the squad that went to Fort 
Stuart. That fort being between the other two, was 
made head-quarters of the officer commanding the 
detail. 

We crossed the Ohio River on a ferry-boat to 
Newport, and then marched out. When we had 
gone about half-way to the forts, we were met by a 
lady in a carriage, who, as we passed, called out, 
"Hurrah for Jeff. Davis!" We took it as a doAvn- 
right insult, but passed along without making any 
disturbance. We soon overtook a young man, who 
told us where the lady lived, who she was, and also 
that she was secesh, and that her sentiments were 
well known in the neighborhood. She was a widow. 

The next morning I asked Lieutenant Downs for 
the privilege of taking three men with me to scout 
the neighborhood for information concerning the se- 
cesh woman's disloyalty. He granted the request, 
with the condition that we report back promptly by 
2 o'clock in the afternoon. We were allowed to take 
our arms with us. 

We visited all the neighbors living in the imme- 
diate vicinity of the lady's residence, and they all 
confirmed what we had heard of her disloyalty. We 
then went to her house, but found that she was ab- 
sent. The members of her family said that she was 
not disloyal, but very strongly sympathized with the 
secession movement. Her negroes said she was se- 
cesh. We were treated courteously by the family, 
and urged to stay to dinner, which we did. Wliile 
the dinner was being prepared, we enlivened the 



24 FOUR YEARS 

time by narrating our camp stories, very much to 
their amusement. When we were about to take our 
departure, we were invited to come the next day and 
bring our Lieutenant. The invitation was pressed 
so hard that we promised to come. 

At the hour specified, we reported to our Lieuten- 
ant, and gave him all the information that we had 
gathered concerning the woman's disloyalty and the 
feeling that existed against her among her neighbors. 
It was determined, in consequence of the insult that 
we had received, and her known sympathy with the 
enemy, to lay the matter before the Colonel on our 
return to the regiment. 

The next day was very rainy, so we did not repeat 
our visit as we had promised to do. About the 
middle of the afternoon we were very much sur- 
prised by the appearance at the fort of Colonel Force. 
Had he come in the night it would not have sur- 
prised us, because he had become proverbial for 
"making the rounds," especially in bad weather. At 
the time of his arrival the Lieutenant was absent, in- 
specting the other forts. 

The manner of the Colonel seemed strange. He 
was very inquisitive about our rations — whether they 
held out and whether we had had any other than 
Government rations ; he also inquired whether any 
of us had been absent from the fort at any time. I 
then told him of our trip the day before. He then 
inquired if we had any of us been there since, and 
we answered in the negative. He then inspected 
our ration-boxes, and the grounds all aboirt the fort, 
examining carefully the wood-pile, fence-corners, and 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 25 

bushes, evidently looking for something on the 
ground. After having finished his search he did not 
seem satisfied, but acted as if he was disappointed in 
something. We were all satisfied that " something 
was up." 

Having finished his inspection, he told me to get 
my gun and he would drill me in the manual while 
he was waiting for the return of the Lieutenant. I 
got along finely in all the movements until he gave 
the command, "Charge — bayonet." 

It being the most natural for me, I brought my 
piece down to my left side, with a half-face to the 
left instead of to the right, as I ought to have done. 

"Not so, not so — the other way; there — fix it so," 
said the Colonel, fixing it in its proper position. 

"I can never charge bayonet that way." 

"Hold it fast; let me try it," said he, putting his 
hand against the muzzle of the piece. 

"I will if I can." He pushed, and over I went to 
the ground. Springing up and resuming my old po- 
sition of half-face to the left, "You can't do that 
again; now try." 

The Colonel did try, but could not budge me. He 
then told me to put up my gun. I had become ex- 
tremely anxious to know what had brought him 
over, and I resolved to give him a hint to that effect; 
so I said to him, "Colonel, you must like the mili- 
tary profession jwetty loell.''^ 

"Why so? what makes you think that?" 

"Because you came all the way over here from 
Cincinnati just to drill me." 

The Colonel smiled, but said nothing. By this 



26 FOUR YEARS 

time the Lieutenant made his appearance. The 
Colonel took him out to one side and had some pri- 
vate conversation, and then left. We learned from 
the Lieutenant that complaint had been made at 
head-quarters that a squad of men from the forts had 

been to Mrs. 's house the night before and 

taken possession with fixed bayonets, and demanded 
meat, butter, chickens, and potatoes, and threatened, 
if the articles demanded were not given them, they 
would help themselves. The lady remonstrated, and 
finally begged of them not to disturb her property, 
but all to no purpose. They then helped themselves 
to such articles as they wanted, including about thirty 
chickens. 

The Lieutenant seemed surprised and grieved to 
hear such reports about his men. He questioned us 
closely, as the Colonel had done, but all to no pur- 
pose ; every man denied knowing any thing about the 
outrage. He searched the premises for any traces 
of chickens, such as offal, bones, or feathers, but none 
could be found. 

The lady had represented to the Colonel that the 
soldiers that committed the outrage wore dark-blue 
blouses, and carried muskets with bayonets. The 
soldiers of no other regiment about there wore that 
kind of uniform or carried that kind of arms. 
When the Colonel left Fort Stuart, he went over 
to the Beechvvoods Battery, and there the same in- 
vestigation was made, but with no better result. 
Five of the men that accompanied me to the lady's 
house were taken over to see if they would be iden- 
tified as having been there in the night, but the 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 27 

members of the family said they were not among the 
number. It was then arranged that the members 
of the family should go over to the barracks the day 
that we would return, and see if they could identify 
the men that did the mischief, on dress parade. 

During the balance of our stay at the forts, the 
Lieutenant was very strict with us, and watched 
narrowly every movement that we made, but dis- 
covered no evidence of guilt. On our way back to 
the barracks, as we passed through the streets of 
Newport and Cincinnati, we seemed to be observed 
with more than usual interest, on account of the no- 
toriety given us by the report. Dress parade came, 
and with it two members of the family, one a son of 
the lady, to point out the guilty soldiers. When 
parade was over the companies were all dismissed 
but company "H." The two persons then passed 
along the line, and succeeded in pointing out one 
man. He was a man of unexceptional character, 
and the very last man in the company that would 
have been guilty of such a thing; and besides he had 
been on duty at the fort next to the river, which was 
more than three miles distant from the lady's house. 

Whatever suspicions the officers of the company 
might have had of men in the company, they were 
then well convinced that an innocent man had been 
wrongfully accused. The Colonel still believed that 
some of the men in the company had done it. It 
was then arranged that the son should return the 
next day and bring another member of the family— - 
a young man that was teaching there— and see if 
he would have any better success. 



28 FOUR YEARS 

Passes were prohibited us for ten days. Each 
one of the men on detail at the forts was examined 
separately, and I was called in for examinatio-n sev- 
eral times. After he had questioned me over and 
over again about it, I said to him, " Look here, 
Colonel, that would be a right smart trick for new 
recruits to do, wouldn't it? Besides, they tell me, 
Colonel, that you are like" a comet ; that you come 
when no man knoweth it. Supposing that you had 
^'made the rounds" thcit night, and found Lieuten- 
ant Downs' men all gone. He would have been in 
a pretty fix ! By and by the guard w^ould call out, 
' Halt ! who comes there ?' ' Chicken thieves !' 
would have been the reply. That would have been 
nice ! You would have sent every man of us home 
in disgrace ! I tell you. Colonel, Lieutenant Downs 
aint so big a fool as to let his men get disgraced 
in that way ! He aint, indeed he aint." 

The Colonel then walked his room back and forth, 
as if in a deep study, and then stopped, and facing 
me, said : " Is this the first time you were ever 
caught in a scrape of that kind ?" 

"You have n't caught me in that yet,^^ I rej^lied. 

" That will do," said he ; " you are either innocent 
or very loell drilled ! You can go to your quarters." 

The next afternoon the two young men came 
over. When they arrived, the battalion was on 
drill, except the new recruits. While watching the 
drill, the son of the lady undertook to point out to 
the man that had accompanied him the person that 
he had previously pointed out. That, I thought, 
was not fair. I told the new recruits what was 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 



29 



being clone, and they all began to gather around the 
two young men to frighten them off. Some would 
cackle like hens; some crow like roosters; some 
pinned paper on their coat-tails ; others would slip 
pork rinds into their coat pockets, and then accuse 
them of stealing soa^-grease from the poor soldiers ! 

It was a rougher reception than they had bar- 
gained for, and, as soon as the crowd opened, they 
broke for the street and never came back again. 

The " chicken scrape " is among the incidents of 
the past. Several of the men of the detachment 
that were on the forts at that time have nobly sac- 
rificed their lives, and others their health, in the 
cause of their country ; and, however well they loved 
chickens, they have all since proved themselves brave, 
heroic soldiers. In a future reckoning, the depreda- 
tions committed that night will vanish when weighed 
by the "hurrahs for Jeff. Davis" by the lady in 
the carriage. 

I leave the reader to draw his own conclusions, 
but I am inclined to think that somebody got the 
chickens. 



FOUR TEARS 



CHAPTER III. 

" Marching orders " — Arrives at Fort Donelson — The surren- 
der — Goes North with prisoners — Meets an old friend as a 
rebel Captain — The Captain attempts to bribe him — Expedi- 
tion up the Tennessee River — Touching incident — Battle of 
Shiloh — Captures an Enfield — Recommended as a scout. 

On the 9th day of February, 1862, the regiment 
received " marching orders." It was a day of hurry 
and excitement. The order was received with de- 
light by the men, for they had become tired with 
the dull monotony of guard duty, and were eager 
for a change. 

It was a wet day, and the streets were filled with 
mud and slush from the rain and melting snow, and 
our feet dragged heavily as we marched to the levee, 
but, nevertheless, our hearts were light and cheer- 
ful. Little did we realize the hardships, the pri- 
vations, and the sufferings that were in store for us, 
or think of the change that would take place ere 
we returned to the soil of our own loved State. 

Two transports — the Emma Duncan and the Dr. 
Kane — were ready for us at the levee, and we em- 
barked on board of them, and were soon under way. 
At Warsaw, Ky., we took on board two companies 
that had been doing duty there, and then proceeded 
on our way. We had an abundance of room — 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 31 

which added much to our comfort — and a pleasant 
trip all the way to Paducah, Ky., where we reported 
for orders on the 13th of February. 

We were immediately ordered to report to Gen- 
eral U. S. Grant, near Fort Donelson, without 
delay, and in a few hours we were under way. We 
reached our destination Friday afternoon, February 
14th. The fighting had commenced, and at the 
time of our arrival our gun-boats were engaged 
with the rebel batteries in sight of where we 
landed. ' , 

The regiment was ordered to report to Colonel— 
since Brigadier-General — McArthur, commanding a 
brigade on the extreme right of the Federal lines. 
To reach our position we had to make a march of 
ten miles. The weather was cold, and the ground 
covered with several inches of snow. We started 
very early on the morning of the 15th to take our 
position. Being unused to marching with heavy 
knapsacks, the march was fatiguing to us in the ex- 
treme. We succeeded, however, in getting our po- 
sition in line of battle by 10 o'clock, A. M. 

At the time we took our position the battle was 
raging with intense fury. The roar of musketry, 
the crash of artillery, the scream of shells, the whiz 
of bullets, and the sight of the dead and wounded 
were not calculated to fill the minds of inexperienced 
soldiers with very pleasant sensations ; neverthe- 
less, every man of the regiment exhibited a coolness 
and firmness that would do honor to veterans in 
battle. 

Toward night the enemy withdrew within his 



32 FOUR yea:^s 

fortificatioLS. That night we slept on our arms, in 
line of battle, on the snow-covered ground, expecting 
to renew the battle in the morning. The next 
morning — Sunday — about nine o'clock, the news 
came that Fort Donelson had surrendered. 

Such shouts as went up from that army had never 
been heard before. From one end of the line to the 
other, cheer after cheer went up, until it seemed as 
if the trees of the forest were repeating the shouts. 
It was a glorious victory ! It exceeded by far any 
victory previously achieved since the commencement 
of the rebellion. Over 14,000 prisoners were cap- 
tured, besides an immense amount of artillery and 
small arms. 

Tha 20th Ohio was one of the regiments that was 
detailed to guard the prisoners to the North. Com- 
panies A and H were assigned to the steamer Em- 
press, and were intrusted with the guarding of 2,300 
prisoners. Soon after daylight on Monday morning 
we were on our way down the Cumberland River. 

Nothing of unusual interest occurred until we 
arrived at Bloody Island, opposite St. Louis, Mo., 
where we were to land the prisoners and embark 
them on board the cars, for Chicago, 111. It was in 
the evening when we arrived there, and the prison- 
ers remained on board until the next day. 

I was on guard that night, and my post was at 
the gangway, with instructions to prevent, at all 
hazards, any attempt of prisoners to go ashore. 
About 1 o'clock at night a rebel Captain stepped 
up to me, and addressing me by name, said, " How 
are you ? " 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 33 

I rocogni/ed in him an old acquaintance by the 
name of Captain Brown, with whom I had formed 
an acquaintance at Ishind ISTo. Twenty-eight, in the 
summer of 1852. At that time he was the owner 
and captain of the Memphis and Nashville packet 
steamer Sligo. When the rebellion broke out he 
raised a company at Nashville, and was made a 
captain in the — th Tennessee Infantry. At one 
time, while in difficulty in Memphis, Captain Brown 
had rendered me valuable assistance. 

" How are you ? " said I, as soon as. I discovered 
who it was. "What are you doing here ?" 

"I'm a prisoner, and my old friend is guarding 
me." 

"Yes, I see! Quite a change since you and I 
last met." 

" Yes, something of a change ! I hardly expected 
to meet you in arms against me ! You have lived a 
long time in the South. Do you think that you are 
doing exactly right to take up arms against us ?" 
• " The old government and the old flag are good 
enough for me," I replied, "and I mean to stick by 
them so long as I live." 

" Do you expect to pin the States together again 
with bayonets?" he asked. 

" I do n't know whether we shall pin the States to- 
gether again or not ; but I do know one thing • we'll 
have the soil back again, whether we have the people 
or not." 

"See here!" said he. "Do you remember of my 
assisting you one time in Memphis, when you was 
in trouble?" 
3 



34 FOUR YEARS 

" Certainly I do ! And you had my gratitude for 
it." 

" Well, I am in trouble. Can you render me any 
assistance?" 

" I will if I can." 

"Well, you can." 

"How?" 

" By letting me cross your beat and go ashore." 

" I ccui't do that:' 

" Why not ? I helped you ; why not help me ? " 

" Because I am no traitor . to my country ! I 
never asked you to raise your hand against your 
country to assist me." 

" Here, take this watch ; perhaps I can buy you," 
said he, offering me a splendid gold watch. 

" Not 7nuch you can't buy me ! I think too much 
of the stars and stripes for that." 

" Take it," said he, " and let me cross your beat, 
and I '11 give you a hundred dollars in gold besides." 

^^I can't do it,'^ said I ; " do n't you ask me again.'' 

Captain Brown went away quite chop-fallen, sat- 
isfied, I presume, that gold was not at j)ar with 
genuine patriotism. 

We guarded the prisoners to Camp Douglas, near 
Chicago, 111., where we remained nine days, and then 
returned to Bloody Island, where we arrived on the 
6th day of March. That night the regiment em- 
barked on board the steamer Continental, for Padu- 
cah, Ky., which place we reached in time to join in 
the grand expedition up the Tennessee River. 

At Paducah, Greneral Sherman and staff came on 
board the Continental, and made it his head-quarters ; 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 35 

and that boat, preceded by the gun-boats, led the 
fleet. 

When under way, that vast fleet of steamers, 
loaded down with troops, as they moved along, one 
after another, at nearly equal distances apart, pre- 
sented a grand and imposing appearance. The 
weather was mild and pleasant, which added much 
to the interest of the trip. The banks of the river 
often presented crowds of people that had gathered 
to witness the grand display of force that was pene- 
trating the territory of the rebellion. Sometimes 
we were cheered by the crowds that lined the banks, 
indicating their loyalty, and at other times a sullen 
silence told plainly that we were not welcome. 

One little incident occurred that I shall never 
forget. We had on board a citizen of Tennessee, 
who owned a large plantation on the left bank of the 
Tennessee River, about eight miles below Savanna. 
He was an exile from home on account of his devo- 
tion to the Union. An attempt was made by his 
neighbors to capture and hang him, but he succeeded 
in making his escape, and in getting through to 
Paducah, Ky., after having suifered a great deal 
from hunger and exposure, incident to traveling by 
night, through forests and swamps, to evade dis- 
covery. The last that his family had heard from 
him was that his disloyal neighbors were in pursuit 
of him, determined to hang him, and they did not 
know whether he was alive or not. 

As we neared his plantation, a group of persons 
was observed standing on the bank of the river not 
far from his residence. He requested the captain 



36 FOUR TEARS 

of the boat, as we passed, to run the boat near the 
shore, so that he might recognize his wife and chil- 
dren, if they were there. The crowd on the deck 
of the steamer moved back, to give him a large clear 
space, that his family might more readily recognize 
him. As the boat neared the shore the group proved 
to be his wife, children, and servants, gazing with in- 
tense interest at the passing fleet. It was a touch- 
ing scene, when that exile from home recognized his 
loved ones. 

" I am alive ! It is me !" he shouted, swinging 
his hat. " I am coming home ! Glory to God ! 
The Union forever ! Hallelujah ! Glory ! Glory ! " 
etc. He jumped and shouted as if in ecstasies of 
delight. 

Such' manifestations of love for home and country 
are unmistakable evidences of patriotism and loy- 
alty. The incident is but one of thousands, that have 
been witnessed in the prosecution of the war. 

From that time on, nothing of special interest 
occurred in my experience until the battle of Shiloh, 
or Pittsburg Landing. The battle was fought on 
the 6th and 7th of April, 1862. I acted my part in 
that bloody conflict, but the details of the battle I 
must leave to the pen of the historian. At that 
battle I succeeded in capturing an Enfield rifle. 
My "handspike " was turned over, and with it dissi- 
pated the disgust with which I had carried it. 

The next day after the battle of Shiloh, a circular 
was sent to the company commanders, from brigade 
head-quarters, requesting them to send in the names 
of such men as were trustworthy and suitable for 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 3T 

scouts. Captain Downs (formerly Lieutenant Downs) 
sent in my name as one, which opened the way for 
the experiences that I shall narrate in the following 
cha2:)ters. 

Early in June, soon after the evacuation of Corinth, 
the 20th Ohio Regiment moved to Bolivar, and soon 
after to Grand Junction, Tenn. 



38 FOUR TEARS 



CHAPTER TV. 

Rumored attack upon Grand Junction — "General Bunker" sent out 
as spy — Passes himself as a rebel soldier — Falls in with rebel 
cavalry — Visits a rebel camp — Attempts to deprive him of his 
revolver — Discovers a Yankee forage party — Undertakes to re- 
turn — Captured by Yankees, and robbed of his revolver and 
money — Passes as a rebel spy — Sent to the Provost Marshal — 
Sent to General Hurlbut — Returned to Grand Junction. 

Soon after the evacuation of Corinth by the forces 
under General Beauregard, a part of General Grant's 
army was distributed along the Ohio and Mississipj^i 
and the Mississippi Central, and also the Memphis 
and Charleston Railroads, to garrison the princij^al 
towns and open up communication for sujiplies by 
railroad instead of by the Tennessee River, which 
was becoming so low as to be an uncertain route for 
supplies. 

At the time I speak of, Grand Junction was gar- 
risoned by a small brigade of infantry and a battery 
of artillery, under command of Brigadier-General 
M. D. Leggett. Grand Junction is situated on the 
Mississippi Central Railroad at its junction with the 
Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and was an ex- 
posed outpost. 

A rumor had become current among the citizens 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 89 

tliat a large force of the enemy's cavalry was in the 
vicinity, preparing to capture the brigade garrisoning 
the post. General Grant, who was still at Corinth, 
informed General Leggett by telegraph that his com- 
mand was in danger ; that an attempt would be made 
to cai^ture his force ; that he would bo attacked on 
his right by cavalry and on his left by infantry, and 
advised him to vacate the place and fall back to Bo- 
livar, twenty miles north of Grand Junction, where 
the Mis^ssi^ipi Central P^ailroad crosses the Hatchee 
River. The enemy's force was represented to be 900 
cavalry at Davis' Mills, and three brigades of cav- 
alry at what is known as the White Church, on \Yolf 
River, the former nine and the latter twelve miles 
from Grand Junction, in a south-west direction. An 
additional force of a division of infantry were said 
to be at Salem, seventeen miles south-east of Grand 
Junction. 

General Leggett had some doubts about the rebels 
having very much force near the place, and the 
large quantities of cotton that were being brought 
in, and . the abundance of corn for forage, made it an 
object to hold the place as long as prudence would 
admit, and he resolved to ascertain whether there 
was any cause for alarm before vacating it. 

General Leggett sent for me and told me what he 
wanted, and asked me if I was willing to undertake 
the job. It was the first opportunity that I had ever 
had of working as a spy, and I had for a long time 
been anxious to try my hand at it, and I felt certain 
that I could do the Government more good in that 
way than in any other. It was my time to strike, 



40 POUR YEARS 

and I determined to improve it. I told General 
Leggett that I was willing to try, and would do the 
best that I could, and if I got back safe, "all right;" 
if not, my fate would be no worse than that of others 
before me. 

I returned to my quarters and made the necessary 
arrangements, and the next morning, at daylight, I 
started out on the road to Salem, disguised as a Con- 
federate soldier belonging to infantry. 

The day was clear and pleasant, and* a recent 
shower had laid the dust and cooled the air, and 
made it much pleasanter traveling than is apt to be 
the case in that country in the month of July. I 
was on foot, and the coolness of the atmosphere very 
much facilitated my progress. I was not interrupted 
in my progress until I had gone about eight miles, 
when I observed, as I approached a planter's house, 
a negro woman in the yard, engaged in churning. 
Being somewhat fond of buttermilk, I resolved to 
pay the inmates of the house a visit. As I ap- 
proached the house, a lady came to the door, and, 
observing my Confederate uniform, seemed pleased 
to see me, and asked me to walk in and be seated, 
to which I complied. 

"Where have you been?" she inquired. 

"I have been out to the Yankee pickets, and I had 
a fight with them last night and killed three of the 

d -d Yankees. They killed my horse for me in 

the fight, and I am going back to Salem to get an- 
other that I left there. I have walked until I am 
tired. Seeing the woman churning in the yard, I 
thought I would stop and rest myself, and see if you 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 41 

would liave the kindness to give me a drink of but- 
termilk." 

"I am glad you did. You shall have all the but- 
termilk you want. You are not a-gwine to ivalk to 
Salem, are you ? " 

"Yes. I 've got another horse there, and I do n't 
like to trouble any body for the use of one." 

"Well, now, you are not a-gwine to walk down 
thar ; we 've got heaps o' horses and mules, and you 
shall have one to ride. Bob! Bob!" callino- to a 
darky in the yard, "you run right quick to the cot- 
ton-gin and fetch your master." 

While Bob went on a double-quick for his master, 
the lady ordered me some buttermilk and wheat bis- 
cuit. While I was eating, the j^lanter came in. 

"Lord bless you, John!" exclaimed the lady, as 
her husband entered, " here is one of our soldier s^ 
and he has had a fight with the Yankee pickets and 
has killed three of them ! He says he 's gwine to 
walk to Salem after another hoss. I tell him that 
he 's not a-gwine to walk when we 've got heaps o' 
mules ! I think any of our soldiers that has killed 
three Yankees is entitled to a mule to ride !" 

" You can have a mule in welcome ; there 's no oc- 
casion for you to walk," said the planter. 

" Thank you ! " said I, " I am under very great ob- 
ligations to you for your kindness, but it may not be 
jDOssible for me to return this way. I will not take 
a mule, but I am a thousand times obliged to you." 

With many blessings from them, and an urgent 
invitation to call if I returned, I took my departure. 
When about twelve miles from Grand Junction, I 



42 FOUR YEARS 

was overtaken by a squad of thirteen rebel cavalry, 
including one Sergeant, under command of a Lieu- 
tenant. 

" How are you, boys ? " said I, as they came up. 

" Fine ! " said the Lieutenant. " How do you do ?" 

"I 'm getting ^r6% near well, I thank you." 

"Where do you belong?" he inquired. 

" To the 13th Tennessee Infantry, Col. Vaughn's 
regiment." 

" Ah — ^yes, yes ; he 's all right. I remember of see- 
ing him in Corinth last spring," said the Sergeant ; 
"I have a cousin in the same regiment." 

"Where do you belong?" I inquired. 

"To Jackson's First Battalion of Cavalry," an- 
swered the Lieutenant. " Where are you gwine?" 

" I am gwine down to my regiment," said I. " I 
have been sick, and have been home in Osceola, 
Mississippi County, Arkansas, and I am gwine down 
to Salem to report myself to the nearest head- 
quarters. I have heard that there is some of our 
forces there, and I want to find out where my regi- 
ment is." 

" You are mistaken," said the Lieutenant ; " there 
is none of our forces there. And besides, it is not 
necessary for you to report at any head-quarters. 
Your regiment is at Tupelo, where you will have 
no difficulty in getting to it. We have some spare 
horses here; get on one of them and ride." 

I mounted one of the horses and rode along with 
them. I learned, from conversation with them, that 
their regiment was stationed at Tupelo, Miss., and 
that they were detailed to traverse the country 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 43 

and visit all the planters, and tell them to haul their 
cotton, corn, and bacon to a place known as the 
Double Block-house, where it would be guarded to 
prevent the Yankees from stealing it. 

We only went about a mile after I mounted the 
horse before we turned to the right, and a half a 
mile more brought us to the double log-house. At 
that place three regiments of infantry were camped, 
and their principal object appeared to be to guard 
the stuff that the planters were hauling in for pro- 
tection. Several thousand bushels of corn and large 
quantities of bacon had already been hauled there. 

We dismounted and remained in the camp about 
an hour. While there the Lieutenant told me that 
I had better not be in a hurry about going to Tupelo ; 
"for," he said, "the times are rather tough for a 
man just recovering from sickness, and the rations 
are not such as a sick man can relish." He told 
me that he was going round on to the lower Tupelo 
road in a day or two, and that I had better run with 
with them till that time, and he w^ould put me on 
to a road where I would find clever people and 
plenty to eat. It all seemed very good advice, and 
favorable to my purpose, and so I accepted it. 

The balance of the day was spent in visiting every 
plantation on the roads to the west and north of the 
block-house, and when we halted for the night we 
were within three miles of Davis' Mills. 

There I was like to have a little difficulty with 
the Sergeant. I had with me a very nice navy re- 
volver that I had borrowed of Colonel Force pre- 
paratory to starting out. The Sergeant discovered 



44 FOUR TEARS 

that I had it, and was going to take it away froni 
me. 

"What business has an infantry soldier with such 
a revolver as that?" said the Sergeant. "Infantry 
soldiers don't need them, and cavalry soldiers do. 
It will never do you any good if you keep it ; so 
give it to me." 

"Sergeant," said I, "you are superior to me in 
rank, and if you insist I shall have to obey ; but if 
you take that revolver away from me I '11 report 
you to Billy Jackson! I will indeed!" 

"Sergeant," said the Lieutenant, who heard our 
words, "if Colonel Vaughn is willing that his men 
should carry such things, it is none of our business. 
Let the soldier keep his revolver!" 

" Thank you. Lieutenant," said I. " I prize that 
revolver very highly. I bought it in Memphis, about 
the time the war commenced, to kill the Yankee 
sons of b — hes w^th, and when I enlisted Colonel 
Vaughn told me I might carry it, and I mean to do 
it." 

" That 's right ! " said the Lieutenant. " Turn up 
as many of the d — d Yankees' heels with it as you 
can! Soldier, what road did you come in on this 
morning?" 

" I came down on the Somerville road, across the 
Hickory flats, by the old man Pruett's, and then 
over on to the Salem and Grand Junction road." 

"You came a very good route, indeed." 

"I am aware of that, I replied. "I know this 
here country all through in here. Lieutenant, where 
did you boys stay last night?" 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 45, 

"At Davis' Mills." 

"Have n't we got a cavalry force tliere ?" 

" 'No. There was only us fourteen there last night." 

" The old man Pruett told me yesterday that 
there was, that we had three brigades of cavalry at 
the White Church on Wolf River." 

" The old man was mistaken. There is none of 
our forces nearer than Tuj)elo, except the three regi- 
ments that you saw to-day, and a few of the same 
company that I belong to, that are scattered about 
the country on the same business that we are on." 

In the morning our operations of notifying the 
planters was renewed, and our route lay along the 
bottoms of Davis Creek, toward the head-waters of 
the creek. About noon we very unexpectedly found 
a Yankee forage party. 

" There is some of the Yankee sons of b — hes 
now !" said the Lieutenant. 

"Where?" said I. 

" There, up on top of the hill to the left,'' said he, 
pointing toward them. 

I looked, and sure enough there they were. There 
was about thirty of the Yankees, and eight teams. 
They had halted to feed, and had stacked arms. 
They did not see us. We moved along a little fur- 
ther to a cow-path that led to the right up a ridge 
of ground parallel to the one occupied by the Yan- 
kees. The hollow that intervened was filled with a 
growth of bushes extending to the path which we 
were in, which screened us from view and enabled 
us to approach within fifty yards of the Yankees 
without being seen. 



46 FOUR YEARS 

I now recognized the detachment as belonging to 
my own regiment, and one of the men was my own 
hunJc-mate ! 

The Lieutenant told us to be quiet and not to 
speak a word, and if the Yankees ventured away 
from their arms, we would make a dash upon them 
and capture their arms and mules, and burn the 
wagons. Little did they mistrust the relation that I 
bore to these Yankees. I determined, if a dash was 
attempted, to do what execution I could upon my 
butternut companions with my revolver, hoping to 
dispose of four or five of them before my true relation 
was discovered. It was a moment of fearful suspense 
as we watched those Federal soldiers ; but my but- 
ternut companions were too deeply interested in the 
watch to observe any feelings that my actions might 
have betrayed. 

For about twenty minutes we watched them, but 
they did not move away from their arms. The 
Lieutenant, fearing his own safety might be endan- 
gered by too long a stay, silently withdrew his men, 
and made his way back toward Davis' Mills by 
another route. That night we stayed at a ^^lanter's 
house, ten miles from Grand Junction. 

At three o'clock the next morning we were again 
on the move, and a two hours' ride brought us to 
four corners in the road somewhere south-west of 
Lagrange, and three or four miles distant from that 
place. There we halted, and the Lieutenant told me 
that one of the roads was the one that I wanted to 
take to go to Tupelo. He gave me the names of 
several planters that lived on the road, and advised 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 47 

me to stop two or three days at a place and recruit 
my health all I could on the way to my regiment, 
and assured me that the j)lanters he had named were 
clever people, and that I would be welcome with 
any of them. I thanked him and bade him a good 
morning, and started on the road that he had pointed 
out, not caring whether it led to Tupelo or not, if I 
could get away from him and his squad. 

As soon as the cavalry was out of sight, I made a 
detour through a large cotton-field to my left, and 
continued on until I came into a road that I supposed 
led direct to Grand Junction ; while in company with 
the cavalry, we had zigzagged through the country 
so much that I had become somewhat confused, and 
I was not sure where the road did lead to. I took it, 
however, and moved along very fast to get, as soon 
as possible, as far away from the vicinity where we 
parted, lest, by some chance or other, I might be found 
going toward Grand Junction instead of Tupelo. I 
kept, as I supposed, a sharp look-out as I moved 
along, and had gone, as near as I could judge, three 
miles, when I was very unexpectedly interrupted in 
my course by a challenge of "Halt! halt! you son 
of a b— h!" 

I was considerably alarmed, for I supposed that I 
must have encountered a rebel picket. On looking 
to see where the challenge came from, I found that 
it emanated from a Federal picket. A clump of bushes 
had prevented me from seeing him until I was close 
on to him. My position was clear enough now. I had 
taken a road to Lagrange, instead of Grand Junction, 
and had encountered General Hurlbut's pickets. 



48 FOUR YEARS 

» 

"Ha! lia! my butternut soldier!" exclaimed the 
guard, as I halted; "you got caught rather unex- 
pectedly." 

"I reckon I did," I replied. 

"Where do you belong?" 

"To the IStii Tennessee." 

"You've got tired soldiering on short rations, I 
suppose?" 

"I reckon I a'n't starved yet." 

One of the pickets then took me to the Captain in 
command, at the reserve. There I was subjected to 
a rigid questioning and search, but I was determined 
to carry out my disguise until I could report to some 
commanding officer. My revolver and money, and 
other articles, were taken from me by the Captain, 
and then I was ordered to stand up by a tree until 
further orders. I remonstrated with the Captain 
about depriving me of my revolver and private prop- 
erty, and told him that "we always respected a pris- 
oner's right to his side arms and personal effects." 
The Captain replied that I might be d — d glad to get 
off so, and if he had his way about it, he would shoot 
every rebel in the Southern Confederacy. 

While standing at the tree, I observed a planta- 
tion house that stood within less than a hundred yards 
from me, and that it was occupied. My early start 
and the distance I had traveled gave me a ravenous 
appetite, so I asked the Captain if he would be so 
kind as to allow me to go to the house and get some 
breakfast. 

"Yes," said he, "you may go; but, Gr — d d — n you, 
if you undertake to get away, I '11 have you shot!" 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 49 

"I won't run away," I replied; "I didn't come in 
here to run away. I '11 come right back as soon as 
I get my breakfast." 

When I got to the house, I met the man of the house 
at the door. He had evidently seen me coming, and 
my uniform attracted his attention. 

"Good morning!" said I, as he came out. 

"Grood morning; won't you come in?" 

"Yes, I don't care if I do; and I should like right 
well to get some breakfast here, if you please, for I 
am mighty hungry." 

"Walk in; you shall have all the breakfast you 
want. Where do you belong?" 

"To Col. Vaughn's regiment, the 13th Tennessee." 

"You do?" 

"Yes." 

"Well, I belong to Colonel Strawd's regiment, the 
4th Tennessee. I am a surgeon in that regiment; 
my name is Biggs. What is your name?" 

" My name is Buggies. I am a brother to General 
Ruggles." 

"Is it possible! I know the General very well. 
What are you doing up here?" 

"I am going through the d — d Yankee lines to- 
day, if I can." 

"You are? A'n't you afraid they '11 get you f^ 

"No; I expect they '11 get me into the guard-house, 
but I '11 soon manage to get out." 

"Well, do the best that you can. If they do get 
you into the guard-house, you sh'an't want for any- 
thing to eat. I '11 see to that myself." 

Breakfast was announced as ready for me, and I 
4 



50 FOUR YEARS 

sat up to the table. They had got me fried ham, 
baked sweet potatoes, warm biscuit with butter and 
honey, and coffee Mdth sugar and cream. I think the 
condition of my appetite enabled me to do that meal 
ample justice. When I had finished, I asked the 
doctor how much I should pay him. 

"Oh, Lord ! not a cent! Do you think I 'd charge 
one of our soldiers for a meal of victuals ! I feel 
thankful that I have it to give you!" Then turning, 
and pointing toward the pickets, he said, "But them 
d — d Yankee thieves down there I make pay me fifty 
cents for a meal of nothing but bread and meat!" 

" You 've got them rightly named, doctor," said I ; 
" for they took my revolver and my money, and every 
thing else I had, away from me this morning." 

" You need n't be surprised at such treatment as 
that," said he ; "for there are officers down there that 
would steal the Lord's ^upper, and men that would 
steal the table-cloths!" 

" You are about right, doctor ; but I see they are 
looking as if uneasy about me, and I must go back." 

"Well, said he, "if you get into trouble, I'll do 
all I can for you. I have got things fixed pretty 
smooth between me and the pickets, and I think I 
can help you carry out your plans." 

" Havn't you taken the oath, doctor?" 

"Oh, yes! I had to do that in order to get along 
smoothly." 

"Well, you be careful and not get yourself into 
any scrape by it. I would advise you to say noth- 
ing, and if I get into the guard-house, you see that 
I get plenty to eat, and I '11 wriggle out some way. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 51 

I then bid him good-by, and returned to my posi- 
tion by the tree. When the new pickets came out 
to relieve the old ones, two of the old guards took 
me in to the Provost-marshal. As I entered his office, 
I was saluted by, "Well, old hoss, who are you?" 

" I am an Arkansas school-master," I replied. 

"What do you want?" 

" I want to see General Hurlbut." 

"What do you want of General Hurlbut?" 

"I want to see him. I 've heard that he 's a very 
red-faced man, and I want to see for myself how he 
looks !" 

" Yes, you want to see him! You '11 go to the guard- 
house!" 

"No I won't!" 

"Who are you?" he demandedf 

"You give me those two guards and send me to 
General Hurlbut, and find out who I am!" 

"Guards," said he, "take him off; take him down 
to General Hurlbut's. I don't know who the h — 1 
he is!" 

The guards took me to the General's quarters, and 
one of them went in and told the General that they 
had got a fellow that they had captured at the picket- 
line, and that he was dressed like a rebel soldier, 
and that the Provost-marshal could not find out who 
he was, and had sent him there. The General came 
out of the tent, and, seeing who it was, said : 

" Ah, yes ! I know him ! Guards you can go to 
your quarters." 

"Hold on. General," said I; "the Captain that 
had command of those guards took a revolver away 



52 FOUR YEARS 

from me that belongs to Colonel Force, and took my 
pocket-book, and every thing else I had in my 
pockets." 

"What kind of d — d thieving and robbing will 
take place next ! Guards, go and tell that Captain 
to march his men up here !" 

In a few minutes, the Captain marched his men 
into the yard and formed them in a line ; when that 
was done, "Captain," said the General, "give that 
man the things that you robbed him of!" 

The Captain handed out the articles, one after an- 
other, and last of all he handed me an old fine-tooth 
comb ! That was too much for the equanimity of the 
officers and men that were looking on, and they burst 
into a roar of laughter. The poor Captain looked as 
if he would sink into the earth. "That will do," 
said the General, when he had handed me all; "you 
can dismiss your men." 

I told General Hurlbut the result of my trip, and 
he complimented me very highly upon my success, 
and then gave me a "little smile" of brandy and 
loaf sugar, and a pass to Grand Junction. 

The pass saved me any further annoyance by the 
Federal pickets, and Dr. Biggs from the trouble of 
visiting the guard-house with "commissary supplies." 

I reported my trip to General Leggett, and, for 
some reason, the brigade did not vacate the place for 
more than two weeks after. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 53 



CHAPTER V. 

Fired at by a citizen — Tlie sick overseer — How he was cured — 
Pickets fired ou — Ti-ip to White Church — Visits General Van 
Dorn — Meets a rebel spy — Reports to General Leggett — Grand 
Junction evacuated — Again sees the rebel spy — Attempt to ar- 
rest him — Drinks wine with the rebel General Jackson — Dis- 
covers a hole in the fence. 

It was my duty, while the brigade remained at 
Grand Junction, to watch for any demonstrations of 
General Van Dorn's, Wheeler's, or Jackson's cavalry. 
For that purpose I used to ride out on a road run- 
ning east and west, that lay three miles to the 
south of Grand Junction. I used to scout that road 
for about ten miles regularly every day. One morn- 
ing, before going out, I called upon Captain Jacobs, 
Provost-marshal of the post, on business. While 
I was there, an overseer that I had frequently seen 
in my scouts came in, and requested a renewal of 
his pass, and a permit to carry out certain articles 
that he wished to purchase. He had with him the 
oath of allegiance. As soon as my business was 
completed, I started out on my scout, as usual, leav- 
ing the overseer there. I made the trip out, and 
had returned to within a few yards of the overseer's 
house, when he stepped out from a fence-corner, 
with a squirrel -rifle in his hands, and said to me, 
"Are you a Yankee soldier?" 



64 FOUR YEARS 

"No, sir, I'm not a Yankee soldier, I 'm a Fed- 
eral soldier." 

"What are you doing out here?" 

"I 'm watching for rebel cavalry." 

"I '11 soon stop your watching Confederate cavalry." 

"Are you going to shoot me?" 

He said nothing, but the click of his gun, as he 
cocked it, said "Yes." As he was bringing it to 
his face, I put the spurs to my horse, and as I 
passed, he fired, but missed me. I went in and re- 
ported to General Leggett, who replied, " You had 
better look out, or some of those good Union men will 
kill you.''^ He issued no order to have the man ar- 
rested ; and perhaps it would have done no good if he 
had, for such characters, with their oily tongues, are as 
slippery as eels. As a general thing, they manage 
to evade justice, and get released from the Federal 
authorities. I well knew that if the overseer was 
allowed to live undisturbed my own life was in 
jeopardy, so I telegraphed to General Grant, then 
at Jackson, Tennessee, to know what to do with 
such a man. His reply was, " If you are a scout 
for the Government, you ought to Jcnow your self. ^^ 

That night I went to the 20th Ohio Infantry and 
got two Sergeants, whose real names I shall not give, 
but designate them as the "big Sergeant" and the 
"little Sergeant" — both of them belonged to company 
H — to assist me in bringing the overseer to justice. 
Knowing that if we accomplished our purpose there 
would be complaints entered at head-quarters the 
next day, I resolved to proceed as noiselessly about 
it as possible. Instead of getting the countersign, 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 55 

and thus letting it be known that we were going out, 
we stole through the picket line, and nobody knew 
that we had left camp. 

It was about four miles to the overseer's house; 
thither ^ve proceeded. When we came to his 
yard, m3'self and the little Sergeant went at once 
to the house, and the big Sergeant went to the negro 
quarters. The overseer and his family had retired 
for the night. Our rap for admittance was answered 
by "Who is there?" My reply was, "Federal sol- 
diers; get up and open the door." The summons 
was obeyed by the overseer's wife. As we entered 
we heard the groans of a man as if in distress, pro- 
ceeding from an adjoining room. On going into the 
room I found the overseer in bed, and feigning to be 
laboring under severe pain. Approaching the bed- 
side, I said to him : " You are sick, are you, old boss? " 

With great difficulty, seemingly, he answered, 
*' Yes — I 'm — very sick." 

"How long have you been sick?" 

"It's — 2:oino- on — two weeks — now." 

"You lying whelp," said the little Sergeant, unable 
to contain himself; "I saw you in Grand Junction 
this morning." 

"Get up, old fellow," said I, "you need a little 
exercise; it will do you good to move about." 

"I can't — gentlemen, — I tell you — I 'm sick," (still 
groaning, and letting on to be in great distress.) 

" Yes, that wolfish-looking face of yours look's sick! 
Get out of that ! " He commenced to rise, trembling 
all over as if with nervous fear. "Your nerves a'n't 
so steady as they were this morning," I added. 



56 FOUR YEARS 

" Indeed — I am — sick — gentlemen." 

" I should think your conscience would make you 
tremble." 

*'Are you — gwine to — kill me?" he asked, getting 
more and more agitated with alarm. 

" 'No, we won't kill you, but we '11 give you a fur- 
lough to a warmer climate. I think it will improve 
your health." 

" You will give — a body — time — to pray — won't 
you?" 

" Praying won't do you any good ; you will go to 
the warm climate, anyhow ; so, hurr}^ on them clothes 
and come along with us." We then walked him out 
of the house ; we found that he could travel as strong 
as we could. 

The wife took on dreadfully, wringing her hands 
and crying out, ^''Have mercy ! have mercy I Do n't 
kill him!" 

"Yes, traitors are pretty objects of mercy. You stay 
where you are." She was too much frightened to 
follow. As we passed out into the yard, we met the 
big Sergeant, accomjoanied by a nigger who had an 
iron collar on his neck, with a chain fastened to it, 
with the other end fastened around his waist. 

"Here, Bunker," said the Sergeant, "see what I 
have found." 

" That chain is just exactly what I want. Bring 
your nigger around here," said I, as I led my pris- 
oner around to the rear of the house, and out to the 
stable. There we found two crotches standing up- 
right, and a pole laid from one to the other. A large 
box was rolled out from the stable and placed under 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 57 

the pole, and the overseer made to get on to the box. 
The nif>-o-er had been sent to the rebel fortifications 
to work, and had run away. The overseer had cap- 
tured him, and had punished him by putting him in 
irons, as described. In the morning he would chain 
him to the plow, and at night release him and make 
the chain fast around his bodv. On searchinc: the 
pockets of the overseer, I found the key that un- 
locked the chain. I then unlocked the chain from 
the negro, and placed it upon the overseer's neck, 
and made the other end fast to the pole overhead; 
and having fastened the overseer's hands behind him, 
I said to the negro, " This man has been your over- 
seer for a long time — you may change about now, 
and be his overseer awhile." 

" Lor' bress vou, massa ! " he exclaimed. " Thank 
de Lord fur dat ; he 's dun druv dis nigga long 
enuf." 

" Well, you drive him now." 

"Shall i drive him thar?" 

" Yes, drive him where you please." 

" I reckon he won't do dat box no good standin' 
there," and suiting the action to the word, he jerked 
the box from under him, leaving him suspended by 
the neck ; adding, " Now, I specs he '11 drive hisself. 
I'se more important business to 'tend to." 

The overseer being in a fair way to have his 
" furlough approved," we returned to camp by the 
same way that we went out. The next morning, 
early, the wife came in with a complaint to the Pro- 
vost-marshal that a party of Federal soldiers had 
been to her house the night before, and had taken 



58 ' FOUR YEARS 

her sick husband out of bed and had hung him, and 
begged for protection from further outrage. 

The Provost-marshal said to her, " I do n't be- 
lieve a word of it ; for no soldiers have been per- 
mitted to go out through our lines during the night. 
Perhaps you had a husband and perhaps not. I 
advise you to go back about your business and not 
be in here blaming Federal soldiers with that which 
they have never done." 

During the day a forage party, on its return to 
camp, visited the plantation and brought away sixty 
contrabands, and among them was the one that we 
had liberated from his chains. The overseer was 
dead, but had been taken down and carried into the 
house. On his arrival in camp, the negro reported 
that the Yankees had made him hang his master. 
Outside of the lines it was generally believed that 
the Yankees had done it, but the soldiers generally 
believed that the negroes on the plantation had done 
it. It was never suspected that I had had a hand 
in it. " My personal safety as a scout demanded 
that he should be disposed of," is all the excuse that 
I have to offer. I continued to scout the road for 
several days after, but met with no further inter- 
ruption. 

Early in the month of July, the first train of cars 
that was to run through from Memphis to Grand 
Junction started out, and, when only a short distance 
from Memphis, was captured, and the railroad badly 
destroyed. 

Owing to the difficulty of protecting the road from 
the raids of the enemy, the opening of it was aban- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 59 

doned for a time, and the roads from Columbus, Ky., 
to Grand Junction and Corinth were relied upon for 
the transportation of supplies. When the opening 
of the road was abandoned, the forces at Lagrange, 
under command of General Hurlbut, moved to 
Memphis, which left the small brigade at Grand 
Junction without any troops for support nearer than 
Bolivar, a distance of twenty miles. The exposed 
position of so small a force undoubtedly emboldened 
the enemy in their plans for capturing the post. As 
I have explained in the preceding chapter, the abun- 
dance of cotton and forage was an object to hold the 
place as long as the safety of the force would admit. 

After General Hurlbut's forces left Lagrange, our 
pickets were frequently fired upon, and small squads 
of cavalry were seen, indicating a boldness on the 
part of the enemy indicative of a strong force not 
far off. 

It was under that state of affairs that General 
Leggett requested me to go out as a spy, and learn 
the position and force of the enemy. 

On this occasion I rode out on a mule, disguised as 
a rebel soldier, taking the road that led to the White 
Church. I saw several squads of rebel cavalry, but 
at some distance from me, soon after passing our own 
pickets, but none of them interrupted me. Just 
after I had crossed Wolf River, I discovered the 
rebel pickets ; how I was to pass them was more 
than I knew. I resolved, however, to go on and try 
the effect of a bold front. With as much unconcern 
and freedom as though I was one of their number, 
and perfectly at home, I rode up, and without halt- 



60 FOUR TEARS 

ing or letting on that I expected to be halted, I said, 
" Good morning, boys ! have our forces all got uf yetf 

"Yes," said one; "where have you been?" 

" Out to the Yankee lines by the old cotton-gin 
near Grand Junction," I replied, still riding along. 

By this time I had got clear by, without any attempt 
being made to stop me. At the White Church I 
came to the rebel camp ; there I dismounted and in- 
quired of a soldier for head-quarters. 

"Whose — General Van Dorn's?" was asked. 

"Yes," I replied. 

He then showed me General Van Dorn's tent. I 
had supposed that if I found much of a force it would 
be that of General Van Dorn. I proceeded to the 
tent that had been pointed out. In front of it was 
the usual head-quarters guard. Saluting him, I in- 
quired if General Van Dorn was in, and was an- 
swered in the affirmative. The moment I entered, 
I saw two Generals. One I instantly recognized as 
the Confederate General Wheeler ; I had known 
him in Memphis before the war. Without speaking 
to him, I turned to the other and addressed him ; I 
said, " General, I wish to get a pass, if you please, 
to go outside of the lines." 

" Who are you? " the General inquired. 

" My name is Ruggles." 

"General Van Dorn," said General Wheeler, 
" do n't you know him ? He is a brother of General 
Ruggles, and belongs to the 2d Arkansas Cavalry." 

'''Ah! Indeed!" 

"Yes, and I want to go out to the Yankee lines 
and see what they are doing out there." 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 61 

"I wish you would, Ruggles," said Van Dorn, 
" and see if the Yankees have obstructed the Grand 
Junction and Salem road with timber. That 's the 
road that I want to take a part of my forces in on in 
the morning." 

General Van Dorn instructed his Adjutant to write 
me a pass, which I received, and then went out and 
mounted my mule. " That 's the road I want to faJce 
a part of my forces in on in the morning /" was some- 
thing that needed my immediate attention. I rode 
leisurely through the camp. Every thing was bustle 
and activity preparatory to a move, and confirmed 
what I had heard at head-quarters. As near as I 
could judge, the camp contained 9,000 or 10,000 men. 

Having satisfied myself of the probable force of the 
enemy, I started back on the road I came in on. I 
stopped at the pickets and showed my pass, and then 
went on. After I had crossed Wolf River, I made 
a detour across the country to the right, in order to 
get on to the Grand Junction and Salem road, as 
General Van Dorn had directed me, so that if by any 
mishap I should be captured and sent to head-quar- 
ters, I could show that I was captured right where I 
had been sent. 

About five miles from the White Church, I dis- 
mounted at a large, beautiful spring of water, to 
drink and rest myself. While there, a cavalryman 
rode up and halted for the same purpose ; I immedi- 
ately recognized him as having been one of the 
squad I had fallen in with and accompanied so far in 
my former trip. He rode a Texan pony, with a 
peculiarly constructed saddle, that I could not mis- 
take as having seen before. 



62 FOUR TEARS 

" Where have you been ? " I inquired, as he 
stopped. 

*' I 've been up to the Yankee lines." 

"You must be a scout, then." 

" Yes, I am a spy ; where do you belong ? " 

"I belong to the Yankees!^' I replied, placing my 
hand on my revolver, as if to draw it. 

My movements agitated him. Raising his hands 
in a supplicating attitude, as if he thought I meant 
to kill him, he said, " D — do n't shoot ! hold — hold 
on ! do n't lets you and I quarrel ; let us help each 
other, since we are both in the same business." 

"Very well ! just as you say about that." 

" You played oif the spy pretty well the other day 
when you was with us," he continued, somewhat 
composed. 

" Yes, I did well enough for that time ; but I am 
in a hurry this time, so you and I must make short 
visits." 

At that, we both mounted and started in opposite 
directions, eyeing each other, with revolvers drawn, 
until out of sight. I might have shot him at the 
time he thought I intended to do it, but I did not 
think my own safety would admit of it. 

At 5 o'clock that afternoon I arrived at General 
Leggett's head-quarters, and reported what I had 
learned, and before daylight the next morning the 
brigade was on its way to Bolivar, and it had not 
been gone an hour until Greneral Van Dorn's forces 
were in possession of the place. 

The movement on the part of Greneral Leggett 
was a masterly one, and was conducted with 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 63 

such skill that, though pursued by a force cha- 
grined with disappointment, which several times 
outnumbered his entire command, his brigade 
reached Bolivar without the loss of a single man or 
a dollar's worth of stores. 

Shortly after our arrival at Bolivar, I was in 
town, accompanied by Sergeant Wonders, of the 
20th Ohio. Hitched in front of one of the stores 
was the same little Texan pony and peculiar saddle , 
that I had seen twice before. I knew that I could 
not be mistaken in them. I did not like the idea 
of his running at large. An encounter with him in 
the enemy's camp would prove fatal, so I resolved 
to find him and have him arrested. After search- 
ing for somfe time, without success, I returned to 
where I had seen the pony, and found that it was 
gone. From a soldier I learned that somebody had 
ridden the pony out toward the depot. I followed 
after, and when about half way to the depot, I saw 
the pony coming. I sent the Sergeant back and 
told him to see where the man went, and I would 
join him after awhile. Just before we met, he 
halted and commenced to fasten his pony. Step- 
ping up to him and speaking very low^, I said, 
"Hallo, old fellow! are you in here?" 

"Yes, h — h — how d — do you do?" he said, trem- 
bling from head to foot. 

" Xever mind, you need n't be afraid. It '5 all 
right,'' I added *in a eunlidential way, "you need not 
be afraid of me ; I am in a great hurry this morn- 
ing, so you must excuse me." Without further 
words I walked on rapidly, as though I cared noth- 



64 FOUR TEARS 

ing about liim. As soon as out of siglit, I made my 
way around to the office of the Provost-marshal. 
There I was joined by the Sergeant, who remained 
outside to watch. 

On entering his office, I found him asleep on a 
cot. I woke him up and told him the circum- 
stances about the spy, and that I wanted some 
guards to capture him. By the time I had finished 
telling him, he was fast asleep. I again woke him 
up, and commenced to tell what I wanted, when he 
said : 

"Do — you — know — the — man? " 

"Yes! I know the man!" 

"Do — 3^ou — know — the — hoss? " 

" Yes ! I know the horse and I knov^ the saddle." 

" W-a-1— a-1-1— r-i-g-h-t ! " 

By this time he was again fast asleep. I tried 
again to wake him, but with no better success. I 
do not say that he was drunk, but I do say that he 
acted just as I do when I am drunk. The result 
was, the spy escaped, and I have never seen hira 
since. 

As we were passing along by Adams & Brother's 
store, a few hours after, the door chanced to be 
open, and we observed that the room was occupied 
by many citizens, engaged in a spirited conversation, 
and so we dropped in to see what was going on. 
One of the persons present I knew to be Brigadier- 
Greneral Neely, of the Confederate army, who had 
been captured by the Federal troops when they first 
took possession of the place, and he was on 
parole of honor within the limits of the town. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 65 

When we first entered, the conversation stoj^ped, 
but it was soon gradually resumed. A great deal 
was said about the Yankees stealing corn, cotton, 
and niggers, and they complained that it was ruin- 
ing many of the planters. I listened a few minutes, 
and then, addressing myself to General Neely, said: 
" Gentlemen, so far as I am concerned, I have never 
yet stolen a cent's w^orth of property since I have 
been in the Federal army, and if I had known that 
a United States soldier had got to steal corn, cotton, 
and niggers from the citizens of the South, I w^ould 
never have enlisted." 

"Nor I either," said the Sergeant, "I didn't 
think when I enlisted that this was going to be 
made a nigger w^ar ! " 

"For my part," I continued, "I'm getting tired 
of fighting for niggers, and if I was n't afraid they 
would hang me for a spy, I'd go and join Billy 
Jackson's cavalry." 

" And so Avould I," said the Sergeant ; " I think 
I 'd like the Southern people very much. I have 
often heard " Bunker " talk about them ; he used 
to live in the South." 

"Yes, I did, indeed! and I'm almost ashamed 
to be fighting against them. I used to live in 
Mississippi, and I have spent several years in 
Arkansas and Tennessee. I am well acquainted 
in Memphis. General, do you know Jim Ford and 
Charlie Ford, of Memphis ?" 

" Yes, I know them very well ; they are whole- 
sale dealers in produce. I get my supply of pork 
from them every year." 
5 



6Q FOUR YEARS 

He then motioned to me and the Sergeant and 
one of the citizens in the room, who had been listen- 
ing with a good deal of interest to our conversation, 
to accompany him into a back room, which we did. 
He then called for two bottles of wine, and asked 
us to drink with him, which we were not in the 
least backward about doing. 

The citizen then said that he had not time to 
stay longer, and, shaking hands with us, bade us 
good'by, and went out. 

"General," said I, when the citizen had gone, 
" do you know where Billy Jackson is? " 

"Yes! He's not far off; if you want to join his 
cavalry you would have no trouble in getting to 
him." 

" If I wa'n't afraid Greneral Jackson would get me 
and hang me for a spy, I 'd run away, and so would 
this Sergeant, and we 'd join his cavalry." 

"There is no danger of that," said the General, 
for that was General Jackson that drank the tuine with 
us, and has just left. He heard all you said about 
joining his cavalry. If you want to go, boys, you 
will have no trouble in doing so." 

"Well, General," said I, "since you are acquainted 
with General Jackson, can't you give us a pass that 
will make us all safe after we get out of the Yankee 
lines?" 

" I 'm on parole of honor," he replied, " and I have 
no right to do that." 

"There woukl be no harm in it; the Yankees 
would never find it out." Pulling out my wallet, I 
said, " General, how much did you pay for that 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 67 

wine? "We must have another bottle — not at your 
expense, but mine. It's my treat this time." 

" Oh, no ! no, no ! " said the General, " I '11 pay 
for the wine ! Mr. Adams, bring us another bottle. 
Boys, you come over to-morrow and I '11 have your 
passes fixed out for you ! " 

I assured him that we would, and, having drank 
the wine, we left and returned to camp, considerably 
elated with our adventure. 

Unfortunately, Billy Jackson and the spy both got 
away. The only good that I could then do was to 
find the " hole in the fence " where they had gone 
out, and prevent a repetition of it. 

I knew that Mrs. Dr. Coleman was a daughter of 
General Neely, and I thought that she, probably, 
knew where Jackson and his spy went out through 
our lines. I had been there a number of times, and 
had become considerably acquainted, and Mrs. Cole- 
man had not yet found out that I belonged to the 
Federal army. Doctor Coleman was a j^racticing 
physician, and was absent from home the most of 
the time, visiting his patients. 

The next morning I went over to see her. After 
we had conversed awhile, I said to her, " 'Melia, did 
you see Billy Jackson in town yesterday?" 

"Yes, did you?" 

"Yes, I saw him, but I was wondering how in 
the world he managed to get out ; the Yankees are 
getting mighty particidar who they pass out." 

" Why, I can tell you ; he went right through our 
corn-field, and out at the water-gulch under the fence." 

"Yes, yes; I do remember that place now; that's 



68 FOUR TEARS 

a good place to go out. By the way, how does the 
doctor like the Yankees being so strict?" 

" He do n't like it at all ; he had to go and take 
the oath before they would give him a pass to visit 
his patients." 

"Did he?" 

" Yes ; and I never felt so bad about any thing in 
my life as I did about that. The nasty, dirty thieves! 
I perfectly hate the sight of them. I assure you 
the doctor do n't consider himself bound by it ; no, 
indeed he do n't." 

She was very indignant to think that her husband 
had been compelled to take the oath. From there 
I went to see her father, General Neely, who gave 
me the pass that he had promised me the day bo- 
fore. Thus prepared, I went to head-quarters and 
reported. 

That day Doctor Coleman's corn was all cut down, 
so that the pickets had a fair view of the ground with- 
out changing the line, and General Neely was sent 
North for a violation of his parole. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 



CHAPTER VI. 

The value of the Oath — Attempt to take " Bunker's " life — Sent 
to Grand Junction — The hazardous ride — Shoots the picketr — 
The chase — Unfortunate occurrence — The chase abandoned — 
Meets with guerrillas — They invite him to drink — Renewed 
vigilance — The battle of Middleburg. 

The troops stationed at Bolivar, Tennessee, at 
the time of the evacuation of Grand Junction, were 
under the command of Brigadier-General L. F. Ross, 
and my next labors in the secret service of the 
United States was under his orders and instructions. 
I made frequent expeditions from Bolivar, but many 
of them were so similar in the incidents experienced 
that I shall not undertake to give a narrative of 
all of them. These expeditions elicited the fact, 
however, that nearly all of the citizens of that part 
of Tennessee, in the face of the military occupation 
of the country, professed loyalty to the Federal Gov- 
ernment, and to give their pretensions the color of 
reality, and secure the j3rivilege to be obtained from 
the military authorities, took the oath of allegiance. 

Every tri]) that I made in the disguise of a Con- 
federate soldier revealed to me Confederate wolves 
clad in Union garments. On one occasion, I had 
been sent for, and was in the act of receiving my 



70 FOUR YEARS 

instructions from the Adjutant in regard to a trip 
that I was required to make, when an old gray- 
headed citizen called in to procure some military 
favor. The Adjutant, not supposing the little he had 
yet to communicate to me would give the citizen any 
clue to the plans I was about to carry out, finished 
his instructions in his presence. I observed that the 
old man paid more than usual attention to what was 
said, and, from the expression of his countenance, I 
suspected that he comprehended the move that I 
was about to make. I became so impressed with 
the idea that the old man meant me evil, that after 
I had left and the old man had taken his departure, 
I went back and obtained permission to take a squad 
of men with me. 

I made the trip in the night. My route was on 
a road that passed the old man's house. I came 
upon two men by the roadside, evidently watching 
for somebody to pass. As soon as they discovered 
that a squad of men, instead of a single man, was 
approaching, they fled without waiting for me to 
come up. Had the old man succeeded, it would 
have been my last scout. I ascertained from the 
colored people on the place that the two men were 
the old man and his son, and that they were watch- 
ing to kill a Yankee spy that they expected would 
pass that night. 

When Greneral Yan Dorn gave up the pursuit after 
General Leggett's brigade, he fell back with his 
command to Coldwater and Holly Springs, Missis- 
sippi, and for a few weeks every thing remained 
quiet. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 71 

Toward the latter part of August rumor became 
prevalent that an attack was intended against the 
forces garrisoning Bolivar, which rendered it neces- 
sary to watch closely. On the night of August 27th, 
General Ross told me that he had heard that a force 
of the enemy had again got as far north as Grand 
Junction, and that he wanted I should ride down that 
night and find the enemy's pickets if they were north 
of the Junction ; if not, to go on to the Junction and 
then return. 

I started at 9 o'clock. The weather was warm, 
but the night was extremely dark, which rendered 
the undertaking unpleasant and hazardous. It was 
impossible to distinguish objects at a distance, and 
it Avould require the utmost precaution to prevent 
running into the pickets before I was aware of their 
presence. 

After having arrived within three miles of Grand 
Junction, the ride became more dangerous than be- 
fore. Knowing that my safety required increased 
vigilance, I slackened my pace to a very slow walk, 
peering forward into the dark distance with all the 
powers of my vision, hoping if there was any pick- 
ets I might be able to see them in time to escape. 

In that manner I felt my way along in suspense, 
until within three-quarters of a mile of Grand Junc- 
tion. Here a single sentry stepped out in the mid- 
night darkness, not more than six feet ahead of my 
mule, and challenged: 

"Halt! who comes there?" 

I had got too close to venture an escape by run- 
ning, and I resolved to make the best use of my 



72 FOUR YEARS 

position that the circumstances would permit, and 
take my chance for the result. 

"A friend, with the countersign," I replied, at 
the same time drawing my revolver and hanging it 
down by my side. 

"Advance one, with the countersign!" said the 
sentry. 

"There a'n't but one here," said I; "my mule is 
so ugl}^ that I do n't like to dismount, and so skit- 
tish that I do n't know as I can advance ;" and at 
tlie same time I pretended to urge my mule forward 
to the sentry, who stood with his piece, at " arms 
port." "Bring your piece to an 'order,' said I, "if 
you please, so that I can get my mule up without 
dismounting." He brought his piece to an order, 
and as the mule moved forward, he stepped one 
foot forward and leaned toward me to receive the 
countersign. I leaned forward, and, thrusting my 
revolver to his breast, gave hwi mij countersign! 
The heavy tJiug^ as he dropped, told me that the 
" countersign was correct ! " 

I did not wait to observe the effect of the report 
of my revolver upon his sleeping companions, but, 
putting spurs to my mule, I dashed back toward 
Bolivar. On did I press my mule at the top of his 
speed, i?av\ J flying over the ground until I reached 
Van Buren. As I was passing old Billy Moore's 
house, his dogs sprang at my mule, from the side 
of the road, with an infernal yelp, and the next 
instant I lay sprawling in the road — stunned from 
the shock of the fall. How long I lay there I 
do not know — probably not long — but as soon as I 



A SCOUT AND SPT. 73 

came to consciousness, I was alarmed for my safety, 
and made an effort to get up. My mule had 
stopped when I fell, and stood facing me, only a few 
feet from w^here I lay. I managed, however, to get 
CD my mule and go on. 

A short distance from Van Buren I came to a 
cross-road that led to another road that came out 
into the one that I was on. There I halted, 
thinking that, perhaps, the same dogs that had 
done me an evil turn, by barking at me, would do 
me a good one by barking at my pursuers, if any 
there were. I had waited but a few minutes when 
they commenced to bark, and in an instant more I 
could hear the tramp of horses approaching. 

I again dashed ahead down the cross-road into 
the other one and on to Spring Creek bottoms. 
Where each of the roads crosses the bottoms the 
water spreads out over the roads to the width of a 
hundred yards. I crossed to the opposite side and 
there halted, and listened for the splash of the 
water as my pursuers came up, but none came. 
At the cross-road, not knowing which I had taken, 
they abandoned the pursuit. Feeling satisfied of 
this, I moved on leisurely toward Bolivar. 

At daylight I reached Mr. Dickon's plantation, 
which is within five miles of Bolivar. I had called 
there several times, and had become considerably 
acquainted with the family. Being sore from my 
bruises, and much fatigued and hungry from my 
night's ride, I concluded to give them a call. As I 
rode up I observed three strange horses feeding in 
one of the out-sheds. My rap at the door was 



74 FOUR YEARS 

responded to by Mrs. Dickens, who received me 
with a hearty welcome; and Mr. Dickens was 
equally glad to see me. I had, on a former occa- 
sion, introduced myself as a citizen of Tennessee, 
living in Memphis. My mule was cared for by one 
of the servants, and in a few minutes we were en- 
gaged in a free and easy conversation about the 
news from our army ; and likewise we congratulated 
each other upon the future success of the Confed- 
erate cause. The Lincoln tyranny also came in for 
its share of discussion. While thus engaged, three 
strangers entered, without rapping, to whom I was 
introduced as one of " our folks " from Memphis. I 
soon learned that they had been there all night. 

Shortly after the three men entered, one of them 
said that he had something to drink in another 
room, and proposed that we retire by ourselves and 
" take a smile. " So we men folks all repaired to 
the other room, where we indulged pretty freely. 
It was not long until the conversation of my new 
acquaintances flowed as freely as their liquor had 
done, and I learned from it that they were guer- 
rillas, who had stopped to spend the night on 
their way to Middleburg, to attend a jollification to 
come off that day. By this time breakfast was an- 
nounced, and we repaired to the table. I haye- 
rarely eaten a meal that relished better, though it 
was only a plain one. 

When breakfast was over, my guerrilla acquainb- 
ances invited and even urged me to accompany 
them; but I declined, stating as a reason that I had 
business of great importance, the nature of which I 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 75 

was not at liberty to diA^ulge, and that several of 
CM}' most reliable friends were waiting in anticipation 
of my arrival at the house of Dr. Coleman, in Bol- 
ivar. My mule was got ready, and, having bid them 
fai'ewell, I resumed my ride back to camp. 

Two days after, I accompanied an expedition to 
Middleburg to capture the guerrillas, but without 
success. My report at head-quarters caused an in- 
crease in vigilance on the part of scouts and pickets. 
On the 31st of August, the enemy, 6,000 strong, was 
found to be advancing in the vicinity of Middleburg. 
General Leggett, with less than one thousand men, 
mostly from the 20th and 78th Ohio regiments of 
infantr}^, met them there, and a desperate fight en- 
sued, in which our loss was trifling and that of the 
enemy severe. So badly punished was the enemy 
that he withdrew his forces. 



76 FOUR YEARS 



CHAPTER VII. 

Attempts to visit the enemy's camp — Learns the strength and po- 
sition of the enemy — Return intercepted — Perilous situation — 
Loses his mule — Frightened by men of his own regiment — The 
plan to capture the enemy — The negro's report — The forces 
discovered — Disposes of a rebel picket — Reports his discovery. 

After tlie fight in the vicinity of Middlebiirg, a 
part of the enemy went into camp between the battle- 
ground and Van Biiren. Soon after, General Leggett 
requested me to visit the enemy's camp and learn 
his force, and whether he had any artillery. He 
gave me a pass to go out, in the presence of the 
field-officer of the day, who said that no passes 
were being given out at division head-quarters, and 
objected to my going out. General Leggett told the 
officer that I was a privileged character, and that he 
would take the responsibility of passing me out, but 
that he would give passes to no others. 

Dressed like a citizen, and mounted on a mule, I 
went out and made my way to the rebel picket line, 
where I tried to pass in, but was informed by the 
pickets that they had orders forbidding them to pass 
citizens in or out. I passed along the line to other 
> posts, but found that they all had the same orders. 
I made myself quite familiar with the pickets, and 
those not on duty did not hesitate to enter into con- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. ^ 77 

versation with me, by means of Avliich I learned that 
the force consisted of three regiments of cavalry, and 
that there was no artillery. 

Having gathered up what information I could, I 
went to visit the battle-field, and while there I came 
across a young man w^ho was on his way from Sauls- 
bury to Somerville, and had met with the same diffi- 
culty I had encountered about getting through the 
lines, and, in order to continue his journey. He had 
made a detour round the lines. My own observa- 
tions and his gave me a correct knowledge of the 
rebel lines on three sides, and also the position of 
the rebel camp. 

After completing my visit to the battle-ground, I 
returned toward Bolivar. On my way out to the 
rebel lines, I had seen and conversed with an old 
man, a Mr. Knight, who lives about three miles from 
Bolivar. As I approached his house, on my return, 
and when within one hundred yards of it, I saw in 
his front yard two persons dressed like rebel sol- 
diers, who had squirrel rifles. The moment they 
saw me, they brought their pieces to a ready, as if 
preparing to fire. I remembered distinctly that 
General Leggett had said that he would pass nobody 
else out ; besides, I was a little suspicious of the old 
man Knight's loyalty ; so I very naturally concluded 
that he, knowing that I had gone out, had went and 
got two soldiers to watch for me as I returned. 

I immediately wheeled my mule about and went 
back behind a rise of ground, and then turned to my 
left into a corn-field. I dashed ahead about three 
hundred yards, when I discovered a company of 



78 FOUR YEARS 

rebel cavalry coming in a line toward me. I turned 
to my left again, and was dashing ahead toward Bol- 
ivar, when I unexpectedly encountered a deep water- 
gulch that was impassable to my mule. In my flight 
through the corn, I had already lost my hat. There 
I was, surrounded, with the enemy to my right, left, 
and rear, and a frightful ditch in front of me ; it was 
no time for hesitation. I jumped off from my mule 
and left it, and clambered down into the ditch and 
then out on the other side, and ran for Bolivar as 
hard as I could go, bare-headed. 

I made my way into camp, and procured a detach- 
ment of men and returned, hoping to find my mule, 
but did not succeed. I learned, however, that the two 
men that had caused my fright were Daniel Harris 
and Columbus Johnson, of mij own regiment. They 
had been permitted to visit the battle-ground with- 
out arms, but, contrary to their instructions, had 
taken their arms with them. 

On my return, I reported the force and position of 
the enemy, and also a plan for its caj^ture. So well 
pleased was Greneral Leggett with my plan, that he 
sent me with it to General Crocker, who was then 
commanding the post, during a temporary absence 
of General Ross. The position of the enemy was as 
follows : 

Five miles from Bolivar, on the road leading south 
to Van Buren, the road forks ; the right-hand road 
leads to Middleburg, a distance of two miles. On 
the left-hand road, at a distance of two miles from 
the fork, is a cross-road, called "Wash. JNTewbern's 
road," leading into the right-hand road at Middle- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. T9 

burg. The three roads inclose a section of country 
in shape like a regular triangle. We will call the 
Wash. JN'ewbern road the base, and the right and left- 
hand roads the sides of the triangle ; Wash. JNTew- 
bern's house stands on the south side of the road con- 
stituting the base, and about three hundred yards 
from the left-hand road. On a line parallel with the 
base, and three hundred yards south of it, was the 
rebel camp. Two of the regiments were on the west 
side of the left-hand road, and one on the east side; 
the regiment occupying the left of the enemy's line 
was directly south of Newbern's house. In front of 
Newborn's house, north of the road, is a pasture-field 
extending north to the road leading from the fork to 
Middleburg ; the fence along the road in front of 
Newbern's was thrown down. The pasture-field is 
narrow at each end, but in the center it is much 
wider, making the Sf)ace in the center diamond- 
shaped. At the corner of the cross-road, near the 
rebel camp, was the reserve pickets, and about one 
hundred yards north of the reserve was the advance 
post. On the west side of the pasture-field was a 
large corn-field, and on the east side a piece of woods. 
My plan to capture the enemy was to take four 
regiments of infantry, and place two regiments on 
each side of the diamond space in the field, in the 
morning, before daylight, and have them lay down 
in the corn-field and woods, so as to be out of sight. 
Then, at daylight, vvith what was known as the 
"mule cavalry," (infantry mounted on mules,) num- 
bering one hundred men, make a dash on the reserve 
pickets and drive them in ; then turn down the Wash. 



80 FOUR YEARS 

K'ewbern road, and, when in front of Newborn's 
house, break into confusion and disorder, and, with 
whoops and shouts of defiance, start leisurely down 
through the pasture. The enemy would naturally 
mount their horses and give chase, and, when once 
within the lines of the infantry, they would suddenly 
rise up, raise a shout, and close in each flank, and 
have them bagged. 

General Crocker thought my plan would work, but, 
being only temporarily in command, did not like to 
assume the responsibility of executing it, and so it 
was abandoned. 

The " mule cavalry" above alluded to was organ- 
ized to facilitate scouting, and watch more closely 
the movements of the enemy, and to check the do 
predations of guerillas that infested the country. It 
was composed of men from the infantry, selected fer 
their daring and gallantry. On account of the thor- 
ough knowledge that I had obtained of the country, 
I was generally sent out with them, to guide them in 
their scouts. 

Not a great while after the foregoing adventure, 
as the " mule cavalry " was going out on the road 
leading south from Bolivar, I accompanied them on 
my own responsibility. After we had got outside 
of the lines a short distance, I left the mule cavalry 
and took across the fields to the left, to Mr. Bill's 
plantation, I had got into a cotton-field on his 
plantation, and was riding leisurely along, when one 
of the niggers, who was picking cotton a short dis- 
tance to my right, called out : 

" Hallo, dar, Mr. Bunker ! you come dis way." 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 81 

I obeyed, and rode out to see what the nigger 
wanted. 

" Mr. Bunker, hab we got forces down dar in de 
bottom?" 

" No, we have n't got any forces there." 

" Wal, dar's forces down in dar ; for de horn souns 
down in dar reg'lar ebery mornin', ebery noon, an' 
ebery night, an' dar nius' be forces down dar." 

" It must be rebel forces, then ; probably rebel 
cavalry." 

" Oh, Lord ! Mr. Bunker, do n't talk dat ar way, 
for dey will be up here for sure some night, an' dey 
will kill all de niggers Massa Bill hab got ! " 

*' Well, I must go and see who is down there. 
Can you tell me of any path that leads down there ?" 

" Thar's heaps o' hog-paths dat leads down in dat 
ar way as yer go through de gate in de fur en' de 
field," said the nigger, pointing to the fence. 

I rode on through the field in the direction pointed 
out, and following one of the hog-paths, I descended 
a hill, and was just rising to the toj^ of another, 
when I discovered, on a ridge in advance of me, four- 
teen mounted rebels. They evidently had not seen 
me. I immediately backed my mule down the hill 
so far as to be out of sight, and then turned to the 
left and. went down into a hollow, and then up a 
narrow ridge, or hog's back, leading in the direction 
of Bolivar. When I had rode along about four 
hundred yards through the scattering timber, I saw 
a fellow dressed like a rebel soldier, about fifty yards 
ahead, approaching me, with a double-barreled shot- 
gun, which he carried, lying across the back of his 
6 



82 FOUR YEARS 

neck, resting on both shoulders, with both his arms 
up over the gun. As he came along he was whist- 
ling a very lively tune, apparently perfectly uncon- 
cerned at my approach. 

The moment I saw him, and before he discovered 
my movements, I drew my revolver, and held it 
down by my side out of sight, and when within about 
six feet of him, I presented my revolver and ordered 
him to halt. He did so, looking ]3erfectly astonished. 
"Lay that gun right down on the ground," I con- 
tinued. He did so, by raising it right up over his head 
with both hands and laying it down in front of him ; 
then, straightening himself up in the position of a 
soldier, said : 

"Well, sir; what will you have?" 
" Step right back, away from that gun ! " He did 
so. " That will do," said I, when about six feet away, 
at the same time riding up to the gun. 
" What were you doing here ? " 
"I've just been relieved from the look-out post, 
out thar." 

" Look-out post ! What's that ? " 
"Do n't you belong to that ar mule cavalry?" 
" No, I do n't belong to it, but I sometimes go 
with it. What command do you belong to?" 
"Armstrong's 2d Battalion of Cavalry." 
" How many are there of you here ? " 
" There are one hundred and sixty of us." 
" What are you doing here ? " 
" We are sent out here to watch the mule cavalry." 
"Where is your look-out post?" 
" Well, sir, are you acquainted about here ? " 



A SCOUT AND SPY. S8 

" I am acquainted with all the roads, but not with 
your look-out post." 

"Well, sir, our look-out post is in old 'Squire 
Knight's wheat-field. There is a big black stump 
there, with a plank across the top of it ; we stand on 
that. From there we can see your mule cavalry at 
Joe Knight's, and we can see you at John Ursury's 
blacksmith- shop, and tell whether you take the Mid- 
dleburg or Van Buren road ; and the next place that 
we can see you is at Wash. Newborn's lane, and we can 
tell whether you go to Van Buren or to Wash. New- 
bern's. If ever you get down past Beaver's lane, 
going to Van Buren, it will be the last of you and 
your mule cavalry." 

I then dismounted and picked up the shot-gun. 
What to do with the soldier was hard for me to 
decide. If I undertook to take him to Bolivar, it 
was quite probable that I would lose my prisoner, 
and perhaps my life. To let him go would endanger 
my life and that of others ; particularly my own, in 
case he should ever recognize me within their lines. 
I reflected a moment, and then disposed of him in 
the only way that I thought my own safety and the 
good of the service would admit; then shouldered 
the gun and started for Bolivar. I did not feel safe 
in carrying the gun, lest it should betray me in case 
I should be captured by a squad of the rebel cav- 
alry ; so, at the first stump 1 came to, I dismounted 
and broke it, and then went on. If I had had a gun 
of long range, I should have tried a pull at the man 
on the look-out post, but as it was, I did not think 
it advisable to molest him. 



84 FOUR YEARS 

On reaching camp, I cbncluded that it was my 
duty to report to some body ; but not having been 
officially sent out, I reported to Colonel Force. He 
listened to my report, and when I had finished, told 
me to report to General Ross. I did so, and he told 
me to have myself in readiness the next morning to 
guide a force of cavalry around to the rear of the 
rebel force, and that he would send a regiment of 
infantry in front, and try to capture the whole of 
them. Morning came, and I was ready to go, but 
received no orders. I have since learned that the 
plan fell through because the Colonel wanted his 
regiment to go, and the General wanted his old regi- 
ment to go, and finally did not send any. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 85 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Sent to find the enemy's pickets — Suspicious circumstance — Sick 
eliild — Captures three citizens standing picket — Releases them — 
Falls asleep — Perilous situation — Fortunate turn of afi'airs — 
Attack on the pickets — A very pious man — He proves a rebel 

spy. 

About a week after my attempts to get into the 
rebel camp near Wash. JN'ewbern's, General Ross 
sent me down to the corners, at Newborn's lane, to 
ascertain whether the enemy had any pickets there. 
I was ordered to take three men with me, and to be 
very cautious in my movements, and, if I found any 
pickets near the place designated, not to fire into 
them, but to come immediately back and report. 
The place I was to visit was seven miles from Bol- 
ivar ; we started out after 9 o'clock in the evening ; 
I was mounted on a mule, but the three men that 
accompanied me were on foot. It was a starlight 
night — not so dark but that we could discern objects 
at a considerable distance, and yet dark enough to 
facilitate our movements. 

Five miles from Bolivar, we came to a house oc- 
cupied by Mr. John Ursury, and, as we approached 
it, we observed in it a light. We had moved along 
very slowly, and it had then got to be past 11 
o'clock. Thinking it was rather strange that a light 



m FOUR YEARS 

should be burning there at that hour of the night, I 
resolved to ascertain the cause of it. 

Taking one man with me, and sending the other 
two to the rear of the house, to capture any persons 
that might undertake to escape, I rode up to the 
front door, with my revolver drawn, and, without dis- 
mounting, lifted the latch and shoved the door wide 
open. The persons present were Mrs. Ursury and 
children, one of them a small child, and a brother of 
John Ursury, about fifteen years old. 

"What are you doing here with a light at this 
time of night?" I inquired. 

"We have got a sick child," replied Mrs. Ursury, 
"and we are doctoring it." 

"It 's best to see whether the child is sick or not," 
said the man that accompanied me. He then went 
in and found it awake in the cradle, and, stranger as 
he was, soon had the child in a frolic, laughing and 
playing. 

" It 's a curious sickness that that child has got," 
said the man, coming out. 

I then called the brother out, and, pointing my 
revolver at him, said : " There is something going on 
here besides doctoring a sick child, you young d — 1, 
you ! and if you do n't tell me in a minute what it is, 
I '11 blow the heart right out of you ! " 

"Mr. Bunker," said he, "is there any forces com- 
ing along here ? " 

" Yes, there is a large force coming." 

"Well, my brother is standing watch up by the 
railroad. Had n't I better go up and tell him to 
come down ? " 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 87 

" IS'o ; you go into the house and stay there. I '11 
go after him myself." 

I then called my men and went into the road, 
where I ordered them to remain until I should call. 
I then rode forward to see what was going on. When 
I came in sight of the railroad crossing, I saw live 
men ; three of the men were mounted and two were 
not ; they did not seem to have any arms. I called 
to my men to come on, and then dashed up to them 
with revolver drawn, and demanded of them to sur- 
render. As I was dashing up, the two that were 
not mounted fled, and the other three stood their 
ground. 

" Do n't shoot us, Mr. Bunker ! Do n't, for God's 
sake!" called out Mr. Ursury, who at once recog- 
nized me. 

"March down into the road, then, if you don't 
want to be shot ! Fine business, this ! Good loyal 
men standing picket for rebel soldiers ! March 
down there ! I '11 see about this." 

I then marched them over to where I had left my 
men, who, failing to hear me call, had remained 
where I left them. One of the prisoners was an old, 
gray-headed preacher, by the name of Parson Ha- 
mer ; I have forgotten the name of the other. The 
two that I have named I had seen several times 
before. 

"What were you doing there at this time of night?" 
I inquired. 

" We were watching for some niggers to come 
along that ran away from my brother-in-law," said 
Ursury. 



Ob FOUR YEARS 

"Who were those two men with you that ran 
away ? " 

" I do n't know," replied Ursiiry. 

I asked the other two, and they denied knowing 
who they were. 

" Well, I can tell who they were," I continued. 
" There are rebel forces over in Mr. Dickens' woods, 
and those men belong to them, and you men were 
standing picket for them." This they stoutly denied, 
and said that if there were any rebel forces there 
they did not know it. 

Addressing Parson Hamer, I said ; " You are an 
old, gray-headed man — a preacher of the Gospel; 
you ought to be ashamed of yourself. An old man 
like you, with one foot in the grave and the other 
just ready to slip in, out at this time of night loatch- 
ing for niggers ! That 's a tine excuse ! It do n't 
look reasonable. You are a d — d old rebel, with the 
oath in your pocket, and you deserve to be shot ! " 

I did not know what to do with them ; I had two 
miles further to go, and it was necessary for me to 
take all my men with me, and to be encumbered 
with prisoners, in case we should run into a force, 
would be hazardous. I finally took down their 
names and released them, and then went on. 

Finding no pickets at Newborn lane, we returned. 
On arriving at the railroad crossing where I had 
captured the prisoners, I seift my men to camp by 
way of the railroad, which was a much shorter route 
than the Wagon-road, and kept on. myself the way I 
had come out. 

Having slept but very little for several nights, by 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 89' 

reason of being out on scouts, after parting company 
with my men I became very sleepy, and experienced 
considerable difficulty in keeping awake, and at last 
fell asleep. 

All at once my mule came to a sudden halt, throw- 
ing up its head as if something was wrong. The 
movement woke me up, and there, stretched across 
the road, was a line of soldiers bringing their pieces 
to a ready. I could plainly hear the click-ick-ick as 
{hey cocked them, for they were not more than fifteen 
vards from me. I can not describe the horror and 
alarm that I felt at my situation ; it was of no use to 
run, so I resolved to put on a bold front and sell my 
life as dear as possible. Surrender ! no, never ! 
thought I, if I die the next instant. 

"Who comes there?" said I, drawing my re- 
volver. 

"Advance and give the countersign!" said the 
officer in command of the soldiers. 

"Who are you?" said I. 

"No matter!" said he; "advance and give the 
countersign." 

" I sha'n't advance a step until I know who you 
are!" 

"Well, you advance one," said he, " and I '11 ad- 
vance one." 

" Very well ; come on ! " 

As we met, each with revolver cocked, the officer 
exclaimed, " Why, Bunker ! Is that you ? I am 
frightened to think of it ! Why did n't you stop ? 
In an instant more my whole company would have 
fired into you! " 



90 FOUR YEARS 

" I was asleep, Captain ! It was a narrow es- 
cape, was n't it ? " 

" Indeed, it was ! " 

It was no other than Captain Ayres and com- 
pany A, of the 20th Ohio, sent out as a support for 
me to fall back on if I was discovered by the enemy 
and pursued. They had been sent out after I left, 
and I had no knowledge that they were coming. 
The result of it was, I came very near falling hack 
without any support! 

My suspicions of a rebel force being in Dickens' 
woods was confirmed in the morning by an attack 
on our pickets, by a force of five hundred men, by 
which two men of the 23d Indiana were wounded. 
After firing into the pickets, the enemy made a de- 
tour to the north-west of Bolivar, and there encoun- 
tered a large Federal foraging party, that fired into 
them and killed seven, which made them ske- 
daddle. 

The next day I was sent out with a party of nine 
men to procure forage. Having found a fine lot of 
honey, some fresh butter, and a quantity of chickens, 
we loaded them into an open buggy, confiscated a 
mule to draw it, and then bent our way back to 
camp. We had proceeded but a little way, when I 
discovered a man a short distance ahead. As soon 
as he saw us, he sat down in the shade of a tree in 
a bend of the road, pulled out a Testament, and com- 
menced to read. Coming up to him, I said, " Daddy, 
how do you do? " 

"By the grace of God, I am well, and I hope you 
enjoy the same blessing," was his answer. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 91 

" You are mighty good, a'n't you ? You are a sol- 
dier, I suppose." 

" No, gentlemen, I am not a soldier. By the 
providence of God, I am a preacher of the Gospel 
pure." 

"Look here, daddy; don't you know that this 
country is invaded? Over there lies the Fed- 
^al army, and yonder the Confederate army. 
What business have you to be prowling about be- 
tween the lines of the two contending armies ? " 

"I have got a Federal pass," said he, handing 
me one signed by General Ross, " and I have taken 
the oath. I have no connection with the Confed- 
erate *army." 

" Well, daddy, you do n't look like a man with a 
clear conscience ; we must search you." We pro- 
ceeded to search him, which resulted in finding, in a 
leg of his pantaloons, between the outside and lining, 
a map eighteen inches by twenty-two, representing 
exactly our fortifications, intrenchments, cam}), and 
picket line at Bolivar. It was skillfully executed, 
and was as accurate as it could well be made. Our 
discovery of the map took away the old man's sanc- 
timonious dignity. " This is one of your sermons, 
I suppose!" I remarked, as I drew out the map. 
" A fine subject for a minister of the Gospel ! " He 
dropped his head and made no reply. 

"Now, daddy, you look tired; you get into the 
buggy and ride." So the old man got in. " Now, 
boys, take the rope from the mule's neck and put 
it on the old man's neck." So they changed places 
with the rope. By this time the man looked ter- 



92 FOUR YEARS 

ribly frightened, and as white as a ghost. " One of 
you that is good at climbing mount that tree." 
There was a limb from the tree where the old man 
had been sitting, that extended out over the road 
where we had halted the buggy. To this the rope 
was made fast. Every thing being ready, I said, 
" Daddy, you are in a hurry to get to Canaan, and 
we are in a hurry to get to camp, so good day, sir." 
Our mule then gave a desperate plunge, leaving 
him to travel his journey alone to that place where, 
by the grace of God, he'll have no use for maps of 
Federal fortifications. 

I carried the map to Greneral Ross, and related 
to him the circumstances of its capture. 

"Did you bring the man in?" he inquired. 

"No, sir; we have brought in several disloyal 
characters, and they have all managed to get re- 
leased; for that reason we thought it not worth 
while." 

"You let him go, did you?" 

"Yes, we let him go — hy tlie jerTcV 

General Ross sent the map to General Grant, 
then at Jackson, Tenn., accompanied with the par- 
ticulars of its capture. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 



CHAPTER IX 

Sent to Somerville — Finds himself a prisoner — Taken to Cold 
Water — Meets witli old acquaintances — Is paroled — Runs with 
the 2d Arkansas Cavalry — Goes to Lumpkins' Mills — Interview 
with General Price — Stays all night with his brother, the rebel 
General — Return to Bolivar — Reports to General Ross — "Steals 
the Colonel's horse," and returns to the enemy — Runs away 
from the enemy. 

About the middle of September, the enemy hav- 
ing disappeared from our immediate front, General 
Ross sent me to Somerville, with instructions to re- 
connoiter the country all about, and find out, if pos- 
sible, where the enemy had gone to, and such other 
information as I could obtain. 

I started out quite early in the morning, mounted 
on a mule, dressed like a citizen in easy circum- 
stances. Whenever I met a planter, I would stop 
and converse with him about the "news from our 
army," and the prospects of the war, and the " d — d 
thieving Yankees that were robbing us of our cot- 
ton and niggers." In the course of such conversa- 
tion, I learned there were no rebel forces in that im- 
mediate vicinity. About noon, I reached Somerville. 
There I found every thing quiet as a Sabbath morn- 
ing. Passing through the town, I took the road to 
Moscow. Coming to a large, fine brick house that 
stands near the railroad depot, I drew up and alighted 



94 FOUR YEARS 

from my mule, and went in, in pursuit of some 
dinner. 

" Stranger," said I, addressing an elderly gentle- 
man that I found on entering, " can I get some din- 
ner here?" 

"I reckon so," he said, handing me a chair; "din- 
ner will be ready in a few minutes. Sit down." 

I complied. 

"Where do you belong?" he inquired. 

"My home is in Memphis, Tennessee, but" — 

Just then I was interrupted by the entrance of two 
men, who came in from an adjoining room, one of 
whom asked me where I belonged. 

" I was just saying to this gentleman," I replied, 
"that my home is in Memphis, Tennessee, but I 
came from Bolivar here." 

"Do you belong to the Federal army?" 

" No, sir ; I am a citizen of this State, and my home, 
as I said before, is in Memphis." 

"How came you to be in Bolivar?" 

" I went out there to see Greneral Neel}^ and Doctor 
Coleman, and the Adamses, and several others that 
I am acquainted with, and when I got in there the 
Yankees would not let me out when I wanted them 
to, and I had to remain there several days." 

" Did you get a pass from the Yank's to get out 
with ?" 

" Yes, sir; but it only passed me out, and was re- 
tained by the pickets." 

" Have you got any fire-arms or papers with you ?" 

" No, sir ; I had a nice navy revolver that I car- 
ried to Bolivar, but I was obliged to leave it with an 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 95 

acquaintance when I left, to keep the Yankees from 
taking it away from me." 

" Well, sir, you may consider yourself my prisoner, 
and after dinner we '11 go down to Cold "Water and 
see what they can do for you there." 

" Grentlemen," said I, "I am no Yankee soldier. 
I am a citizen, and I can't see what object you can 
have in taking me there." 

" It do n't matter whether you do or not. I think 
that they will have some use for you." 

Dinner was then announced as ready, and we all 
sat up. " / think that they will have some use for youT 
reverberated through my brain, and set me into a 
train of thought any thing but agreeable, /'m to he 
a conscript then! thought I. I tried to suppress my 
feelings, and feigned to be cheerful, as if nothing had 
occurred to disturb my equanimity. In fact, my only 
hope was in appearing cheerful. 

When dinner was over, the two men had their 
horses brought out, and we%ll three mounted and 
started for Cold Water, forty miles distant. On the 
way I kept up a cheerful conversation, and on sev- 
eral occasions I had my butternut friends convulsed 
with laughter. I found out that the man who had 
made me a prisoner was Captain Daniels, a noted 
guerrilla, and the other person was a Quartermaster. 

At 2 o'clock, A. M., we reached the outpost nea.r 
Cold Water, where we halted until daylight, and 
then went in. As we were going in, we met a sol- 
dier, who, when he saw me, called out, " Hallo, Rug- 
gles, is that you ? Where in the h — 1 have you been ? 
I hav'n't seen you since we made shingles together 
on White River !" 



FOUR TEARS 



" I 'm a prisoner," said I. 

"A prisoner? the h — 1 you are!" 

"Yes, Captain Daniels, here, captured me at Somer- 
ville, yesterday." 

"Ha, ha! captured you^ Why, Captain, I have 
known that man for years, and made shingles for 
him on White River, in Arkansas, and he is as loyal 
to the Confederate cause as you are ! There are five 
or six other boys here that know him as well as I 
do!" 

Captain Daniels then took me to the head-quarters 
of the regiment, and there I found, in the Colonel, 
another man that I was well acquainted with. His 
name was Slemmens; he used to be prosecuting at- 
torney at Napoleon, Arkansas. When I entered his 
quarters — 

" Lord bless me !" he said, "if here a'n't Ruggles! 
How are you ?" 

"Pretty well, I thank you. I am glad to meet 
you. I did n't know tliat you was in the service. 
The last time we met was at Napoleon, I believe." 

"Yes; but pray what fetched you here?" 

" Captain Daniels captured me and fetched me here." 

" Cai)tured you ?" 

" Yes ; I told him I was a citizen of the South, but 
he did not believe me." 

" I have known Ruggles these six years. Captain ; 
he 's all right. But, then, never mind — I see ! we '11 
make him count one in exchange. I '11 parole him. 
Where did you capture him?" 

Daniels told him the particulars of my capture, 
and that I had been in Bolivar several weeks. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 97 

"Well," said the Colonel, "I'll parole him." 

" Do you know the name of any Colonel in Bolivar, 
and the regiment thiit he commands?" 

"Yes, I know one; his name is Force, and he 
commands the 20th Ohio Infantry." 

"AVell, that will do as w.ell as any." 

He then paroled me as belonging to the 20th Ohio 
Infantry, commanded by Colonel Force. 

Captain Daniels and the Quartermaster then left 
me with Colonel Slemmens, and returned toward 
Somerville. My old acquaintances all got together 
at the Colonel's quarters, and we had a right lively 
visit. They were all urgent to have me join the 
regiment, and I finally consented to run with them 
awhile, and promised to join if I liked the regiment. 
I had found out, by this time, that the regiment was 
the 2d Arkansas Cavalry, and was there on outpost 
duty. It had been raised in a part of Arkansas where 
I was well acquainted. There was no other regiment 
there at that time. The principal part of the rebel 
forces in Northern Mississippi were then camped at 
Lumpkins' Mills, seven miles south of Holly Springs. 

Among the acquaintances that I made during my 
stay in the regiment, was the Lieutenant-Colonel and 
the regimental sutler. The former was a Method- 
ist clergymen, by the name of Rosebrook. He was 
very urgent in his endeavors to have me join the 
regiment. 

Two days after my arrival, the regiment received 

orders from General Villipigue to move to Gun 

Town, on the Ohio and Mobile Railroad, seventy 

miles distant. I went with it. There it received 

7 



98 FOUR YEARS 

orders from General Van Dorn to go to Ripley. 
We remained at Ripley a few days, during which 
time we made two or three cotton-hurning trips. 
We then received orders to go back to Cold Water. 

From Cold Water I accompanied Colonel Slem- 
mens on a visit to Lumpkins' Mills. While there 
we called on General Price, and I was introduced 
as a brother of General Buggies. In the conversa- 
tion that was had with Colonel Slemmens and my- 
self, General Price learned that I did not belong to 
any organized regiment, but that I had temporarily 
attached myself to the 2d Arkansas Cavalry. He 
told me that I would have to be assigned to some 
regiment as a conscript. I objected to that. He 
said that it would have to be done, and unless it was 
done I could not draw any pay or subsistence from 
the Confederate Government. 

" General," said I, " the Southern Confederacy is of 
more consequence to me than ]jay. I did not come into 
the army for jpay. I have got six hundred dollars 
in my pocket, and I intend to fight on that until it 
is gone. I have got a rich sister in Memphis, and 
when that is gone, I will go to her and get more. 
Besides, I can do more good as I am, because when 
there is a fight coming otf any where, I can go into 
it, but if I am fast, I can only go where the regi- 
ment goes to which I belong." 

"Well," said the General, "perhaps you can do 
the most good as you are; you may remain so." 

In the afternoon of the day before we were to re- 
turn. General Price sent me word that my brother, 
General Buggies, had arrived. I immediately went 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 99 

to heacl-qiiarters to see him. He expressed great 
delight at meeting me, and called me "Bub," as he 
used to do when at home, though I was forty years 
old. The Adjutant-G-eneral assigned us a tent by 
ourselves, and I remained with, my brother all night. 
He had not been to Ohio for a great many years, 
and he was very much interested in learning the 
changes that had taken place in the neighborhood 
where he was raised. All I learned of him about 
the army was, that his command was near Baton 
Rouge, La., and that he had come there on business 
pertaining to his command. He did not ask me 
where I lived, nor allude to the subject of the re- 
bellion. He knew that I had spent a great portion 
of my life in the South, and, naturally enough, sup- 
posed that I was identified with her interests. 

In the morning I returned with Colonel Slem- 
mens to Cold Water. I had learned, by this time, 
a great deal of information, and had been absent a 
much greater length of time than I had calculated 
on when I left Bolivar, and I began to feel anxious 
to get back and report. I had become quite a 
favorite with Colonel Slemmens, and I could gener- 
ally get from him any favor that I asked for. 

" Colonel," said I to him, the next morning after 
we returned, "all the rest of the boys have got 
horses of their own, and I have got nothing but that 
little mule of mine to ride, and I want something 
else. Can't you make a cotton-burning trip up into 
the vicinity of Bolivar? While I was there I found 
one regiment of Yankees camped out a little dis- 
tance from the other regiments, and the Colonel of 



100 FOUR YEARS 

it has got a splendid horse ; if you will go, I can get 
in there and capture it." 

" Pshaw ! You could not get into the lines if you 
were there ! " 

" Yes I can ; I know right where to get in, and if 
I do n't get that horse I '11 get some other. I 'm 
bound to have a horse." 

"Well, I can't go now, but I'll see about it." 

I waited two days, and then tried him again. 

"Colonel," said I, "what do you think about that 
cotton trip to Bolivar now ? I 'm getting very anxious 
for that horse." 

"If I thought you would succeed, I'd go." 

"I knoiD I'll succeed." 

" How close can we get without getting into the 
Yankee pickets ? " 

"We can get as far as Jonathan Herse's place, 
and there you can halt until I go in and return." 

"Well, then, I'll take five companies and we '11 go 
up there to-day, and we'll have every thing ready 
to start at 10 o'clock A. M." 

At the appointed time we started, and moved 
along rapidly until we reached Herse's plantation. 
It was in the night when we reached there. The 
Colonel retained three companies, and sent two, under 
command of a Caj^tain, with me, with instructions 
to stop at such a place as I should designate, and 
wait three hours for me to return, unless I returned 
sooner, and if I did not come back at the end of that 
time, to return without me. 

We went on until we came within about four 
hundred yards of the pickets, where I had the Cap- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 101 

tain halt his men, and, leaving my mule, I went on. 
I found the advanced picket right where I expected 
to. He was on the alert, and challenged me as I 
came up. There I cautioned the officer in command 
of the pickets to be on the alert, for two companies 
of rebel cavalry were within rifle-shot of him. The 
pickets were all called up, and I was sent, under 
guard, to General Ross. I had him called up, and 
reported to him what I had learned, and told him 
that, in order to carry out my plans, I w^anted an or- 
der on the Quartermaster for a number one horse. 
I also told him that I would leave my mule on Mr. 
Herse's plantation, and requested him to send a 
forage party out the next day and bring the mule 
in. He gave me the order, and I went immediately 
to C. C. Williams, Assistant Quartermaster, and 
woke him up, and told him I was in a great hurry 
and wanted the horse then. 

However strangely he may have thought of my 
movements then, I am sure that when he reads these 
pages he will know why I disturbed him at that un- 
usual hour of the night. He furnished me with a 
beautiful nag. With an old gun-sling and canteen 
strap I rigged up a sort of bridle, mounted the horse, 
and returned to my rebel escort. 

On my return, I was in ecstasies of delight over 
"my captured" nag. I told the Captain that I had 
stolen it from a Colonel, and that I found it not 
twenty yards from his quarters, and that I tried 
to steal his saddle, bridle, and holsters, but his d — d 
nigger was sleeping with his head on the saddle and 
I could not get them without waking him up. 



102 FOUR YEARS 

The men were all highly interested witk the nar- 
ration of my exploit, and not only conceded that I 
"was a h — 1 of a fellow," but "that I had got a 
d — d good horse." We then returned to Herse's 
plantation, and I awoke the Colonel to show him my 
prize. He was as much delighted as the rest had 
been. 

It was by this time daylight, and we started for 
Cold Water ; I left the mule, as I had agreed to do, 
on Mr. Herse's plantation. On our way back we 
burned considerable cotton. I remained a few days 
longer at Cold Water, and then accompanied a detach- 
ment to Saulsbury to burn cotton ; from there I ran 
away and returned to Bolivar. My mule had been 
brought in as I requested, and so I exchanged my 
horse for it. I had been gone in all twenty days 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 103 



CHAPTER X. 

Sent to Grand Junction to capture guerrillas — Suspicious incident 
— Strategy to get out the guerrillas — Orders disobeyed — The 
rebel flag — The very kind secesh lady — The mistake — Out of 
the frying-pan into the fire — Guerrillas watching for them — The 
attack — The prisoner — The result of the trip. 

A PART of the duties assigned me, in the many 
trips I made to Bolivar, was to hunt up guerrilla or- 
ganizations, learn their intended movements, and 
make arrangements for their capture. During my 
scouts, I had learned that there was an organized 
band of guerrillas at Grand Junction. On reporting 
the fact to General Ross, he requested me to go 
down and capture them, and gave me for that pur- 
pose a force of one hundred infantry, under command 
of a Captain, and forty cavalry, under command of a 
Lieutenant, with instructions to the officers that they 
should obey my orders in whatever plans I should 
choose to adopt. I was also furnished with a train 
of ten four-horse teams and wagons, and was in- 
structed to let the infantry ride out, and, on my re- 
turn, to load the wagons with forage. 

It was about sundown when the detachment moved 
out from Bolivar. I rode about one hundred yards 
in advance, then came the cavalry, and in the rear 



104 FOUR TEARS 

the train bearing the infantry. My dress on this 
occasion was that of a citizen. 

When the last lingering rays of daylight had dis- 
appeared, the night became extremely dark — so dark 
that it was impossible to distinguish friend from foe 
by the powers of vision. While crossing a piece 
of bottom land, with a forest of trees on each side of 
the road that seemed to make the darkness still 
more impenetrable, I met three persons. I saluted 
them with a "Good-evening," and inquired of them 
where they were going, and was told that they were 
going after some horses that had strayed away, and 
that they wanted to go on to Mr. Dickens' and stay 
all night, and resume the search for the horses in 
the morning. By this time the Lieutenant of the 
cavalry came up, and, on further inquiry, found that 
they had passes. He took their passes to examine, 
but could not find a match with which to make a 
light. He then concluded, from the feeling of the 
paper, that they were our passes, and allowed them 
to go on. When they passed the train, the infantry 
soldiers were sitting down in the bottom of the 
wagon-beds, and the most of them were asleep, and 
the men, in passing, probably did not discover any 
force but the cavalry. 

When within three miles of Grand Junction, we 
halted and waited until nearly dajdight, and then 
moved on to within a mile of the place. There I 
had the teams turned about, facing toward Bolivar, 
and gave the teamsters instructions to remain by 
their teams, and, if we were driven back, to push 
forward to Bolivar, if possible. I then moved the 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 105 

cavalry and infantry forward as noiseless as possible 
into the lane, within half a mile of town, and in- 
structed the officers to remain there just half an 
hour, and, if I did not return, to make a dash into 
the town, for they might know by my absence that 
I was captured. 

My plan w^as to leave my men there, and ride into 
town myself and find the guerrillas, and, if they were 
not concentrated, to find their leader and have him 
get out his men, to capture a small squad of Lincoln 
cavalry that I would report as feeding their horses 
near town, and while he would be getting out his 
men, I w^ould reconnoiter to see if they were still 
there, tell the Federal officers where to place their 
men, and then go back and act as guide to the 
guerrillas. 

Having given all the instructions that I thought 
were necessary, I rode on into town. As I drew up 
in front of the Percy House, the doors of the house 
were being opened, and " mine host " came out. 

" Good morning, sir," said I, as he made his ap- 
pearance. 

" Good morning, sir," said he, eyeing me closely. 

" Have we got any cavalry here ?" 

" No, there is none nigher than Davis Creek, three 
miles from here." 

" Have we got any guerrillas here?" 

"Yes, some. Why, w^hat do you want?" 

" Thar 's a squad of Lincoln cavalry right up 
thar," said I, pointing toward my own men. 

"Where are you from?" he inquired, as if uncer- 
tain whether I was right or not. 



106 FOUR YEARS 

" Oil, /am all right, I am just from Memphis, and, 
as I was coming in this morning, I saw a squad of Lin- 
coln cavalry feeding their horses, and I would like to 
get out a squad of our men and go and capture them." 

"Well, I do n't know how many guerrillas there is 
here; but there is Captain Robison, that keeps the 
corner grocery, and lives across the street as you go 
round the corner; he is Captain of the band, and he 
can tell you all about it." 

" Thank you ;" and I started oif to find him. 

When I got round the corner, I saw a nigger 
coming from a house that I took to be the Captain's ; 
so I waited till he came out to me. I learned from 
him that it was the Captain's house, and that he was 
at home. Just then I was startled by the tramp of 
horses. Knowing that it was not time for my men 
to come in, I very naturally supposed that it was 
rebel cavalry. I went back to the corner to see what 
it was, and there came my own men, the cavalry on 
a gallop and the infantry on a double-quick. In- 
stead of waiting thirty minutes, they had only waited 
eight! I was vexed to have my plans, through dis- 
obedience of orders, spoiled; and more so, because I 
had learned from experience that all attempts to con- 
vict a guerrilla after he was captured would be fu- 
tile unless he was caught with arms in his hands 
fighting against us. With the oath of allegiance in 
their pockets, and the use of their oily tongues, they 
invariably managed to get released. 

We then arrested Captain Robison, and such other 
persons as, from their actions, we had reason to be- 
lieve belonged to the band. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 107 

Captain Robison kept, in addition to the groceiy, 
a billiard saloon, which had been a favorite resort 
in the summer for the Federal officers, while the 
place was being garrisoned by the briade under com- 
mand of Greneral Leggett. One day, while engaged 
in playing a game of billiards, Lieut. P. M. Hitch- 
cock, regimental Quartermaster of the 20th Ohio, 
having occasion to look under the table for some- 
thing, discovered, fastened up underneath the table, 
a large rebel flag, which he caj)tured and carried to 
camp. The flag had been secreted there when the 
Federal troops first took possession of the place, and 
the officers had played on that table every day for 
weeks without having discovered it. 

Having secured our prisoners, we proceeded to make 
the citizens of the place furnish breakfast for the de- 
tachment. This they were reluctant to do, but finally 
submitted. When all had been supplied, we re- 
returned to the teams. The teamsters had not fared 
so well, and, as soon as I returned, they requested me 
to make arrangements for their breakfast. I told 
them to drive on and I would do so. I then rode on, 
to find a house that looked as if its occupants had a 
supply sufficient to furnish the breakfast, and forage 
for the horses and mules. 

About four miles from Grand Junction, I came to 
a large brick house on the right-hand side, a short 
distance from the road. I opened the gate, entered 
the yard, and rode up toward the house, and, as I 
drew up to the door, an elderly lady came out, whom 
I addressed, and inquired if I could get breakfast there 
for sixteen men, and feed for a hundred and fifty horses. 



108 POUR TEARS 

Supposing me to be a secesh Colonel, she replied, 
"Well, yes, so far as breakfast for the men is con- 
cerned ; but really, Colonel, about the corn, I do n't 
know as I have got enough here to feed so many; 
but if you are a mind to be to the trouble to send 
over to my nigger quarters, about three-quarters of 
a mile from here, you can get all the corn you want." 

" Thank you, madam. I will ride down and halt 
the train, and send the men up for their break- 
fast." 

As I rode away, I heard her order the niggers to 
get the breakfast. I halted the train, and set the 
niggers (who were returning with us from Grand Junc- 
tion) to cutting up corn from a field on the opposite 
side of the road for the teams. The infantry soldiers 
immediately began to scatter about the plantation, in 
search of horses and mules, of which we had gotten 
several at Grand Junction. 

The thought now occurred to me that I had been 
supposed by the lady to be a secesh Colonel, and that 
as soon as she saw the blue trousers, the getting of 
breakfast would be stopped; so I went back to the 
house to see about it. As soon as I came up, she 
met me at the door and commenced to complain. 

" I thought that it was our cavalry coming ; I was 
mistaken. Instead, I find that it is nothing but a jpar- 
cel of confounded Lincoln jayhawkers T 

"We are all liable to mistakes, madam." 

" Now, could you," she continued, " demand of a 
poor lone ividoiv, like I am, breakfast for sixteen men 
and feed for a hundred and fifty horses ?" 

"The subject has changed appearances consid- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 109 

erably since I was here before. I '11 see about break- 
fast myself." 

I dismounted and fastened my mule, and then went 
to a wood-pile and procured a big club, and then re- 
paired to the cook-house. The niggers had evidently 
commenced to get things ready for the breakfast, but 
had stopped. 

"What are you about, you black, woolly scoun- 
drels! Why a'n't you cooking breakfast?" said I, 
addressing the niggers. 

"Missus dun tole us not to get de breckfust!" 

" Well, you go right to work and get the break- 
fast, or I '11 thrash h — 1 out of your black hides ! 
Start right away !" At that I made for them with 
my club. 

"Hole on! hole on, massa! we'll dun an' get de 
breckfust!" 

They all sprang to work in good earnest. One of 
the niggers told me that the woman had locked up 
the meat. I started for the smoke-house door, with 
my club, to break it in, but the woman, who had been 
watching me, followed with the keys, and, when she 
saw that I was going in any way, legged of me to let 
her unlock the door. On inquiry of the niggers, I 
found that she had butter locked up. in a cupboard. 
I told her to get out some butter, and she declared 
she had n't got a bit in the house. I walked toward 
the cupboard, with my club raised, without saying 
any thing further, when she came running to the 
cupboard, with the keys in her hand, saying, "Don't 
break it ! do n't break it ! I '11 get it out ! I '11 get 
it out for you! Do give a body time !" 



110 FOUR YEARS 

By dint of perseverance, using a good many threats 
and some motions, I succeeded in having the break 
fast made ready; which, having been accomplished, 
the teamsters were called in to enjoy it. While the 
teamsters were eating, a squad of soldiers came 
through the yard, with about thirty geese that they 
had confiscated. The lady saw them, and came to 
me to plead for them. 

" Now, do nH let the men take those geese ; do nH ! 
they are great favorites of mine, and I hate to part 
with them ! " 

I had noticed, a few minutes before, a large, close 
pen in one corner of the yard, filled with nice, fat 
turkeys, which one of the darkeys had told me were 
being fatted to send to the rebel officers. The boys 
had not yet discovered them. 

" Boys, put down those geese ; do n't be packing 
geese from here to Bolivar ! Throw them down ! " 

"Why, Bunker!" they exclaimed, "you said we 
might get any thing that we wanted ! " 

''^ Throw them down .'" 

Down they went. 

" JSTow, if you want any thing of the feathered tribe, 
pitch into those turkeys in that pen yonder," said I, 
pointing to it. 

Away the boys went, a-flying. 

" G-ood Lord ! Now do iiH ! do nH get those turkeys ! 
I 'd rather you had took every goose on the place ! " 

"You are in a bad fix now, a'n't you?" said I. 
"Right out of the frying pan into the fire!" 

Just then a little nigger girl came running in, and 
said: 



A SCOUT AND SPY. Ill 

*' Missis, de Yankees dun got Lucy ! " 

"Where?" inquired the lady. 

"Right out dat ar way," said the girl, pointing 
in the direction. 

" Well now, I declare! Bo n't take that ridino* nas: 
away from me, a poor lone widow, as I am ; do nH I 
Have a little mercy on me; doT^ 

"Yes!" said I, "you are a mighty poor widow! 
worth two hundred thousand dollars, and paying an 
overseer a thousand dollars a year ; you are mighty 
poor ! Soldier, fetch that mare back, and let the 
poor tvidow keep the d — d p-t-g-tt-d thing! It 
a'n't worth riding to Bolivar!" 

As soon as breakfast was over, we again moved 
on. When within two miles of Van Buren, near 
where the Whitesville road takes off to the left, a 
little incident occurred to attract our attention. As 
I was riding along, in advance of the detachment, I 
saw a nigger coming up the road toward me, with 
his hat in his hand, and running as fast as he could, 
and appearing to be wonderfully excited about 
something. 

"What's up?" said I, as I met him. 

"Thar's a heap ob de secesh cavalry down by 
Massa's house, and dey are gwine to git you all ! " 

Here, then, was something to do. I was well ac- 
quainted with the features of the country all about 
there, and I knew where they would most likely be 
posted, and which way they would retreat if we were 
too much for them. I was also well satisfied that 
the enemy consisted of Hall's guerrillas, from Sauls- 
bury, and that the men that we had met on our way 



112 FOUR YEARS 

down belonged to them, and, instead of going to Mr. 
Dickens' to stay all night, had gone down to Sauls- 
bury and got out the band to capture our train, 
not knowing that we had any infantry force along. 

I sent the Captain, with fifty men, to the right, 
to get to their flank in a piece of woods, where I 
was sure they would attempt to escape if we over- 
powered them. The Captain had a corn-field to 
cross, in reaching the woods, that would cover his 
men from view. I was to watch from the top of 
the fence, and see the Captain deploy his men in 
the woods, before ordering an attack in front. 

I watched until I knew that the Captain had had 
plenty of tim^ to have reached the woods ; but, for 
some reason, he had not made his appearance. I 
waited as long as I thought it would do, and then, 
leaving ten men to guard the prisoners, I ordered 
the cavalry to charge, supported by the balance of 
the infantry. 

As we dashed over the hill toward the house, a 
man was seen on the top of a large gate-post, watching 
for us to approach. He evidently had underestimated 
our force, and had not looked for a charge. In the 
yard by him was a splendid mule and a new saddle. 
He gave a look at them and then at us, and then 
broke for the corn-field on foot, leaving his mule 
and saddle for us. The saddle was a new one, and, 
I learned by the people in the house, belonged to 
Captain Richardson, who happened to be there, and 
was helping Hall's guerrillas to capture us. The 
saddle cost him thirty-seven dollars, and he had just 
received it the night before. As soon as the guer- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 113 

rillas discovered that we were charging on them, 
they fled to the woods where I had ordered the 
Captain to deploy his men, and they all escaped but 
one. The Captain had halted his men in the corn- 
field, and did not take them into the woods ; had he 
done so, we might have captured the whole band, 
numbering, in all, thirty men. 

The prisoner that we captured declared that he 
was no guerrilla, but a citizen ; he told us that he 
lived in Memphis. At Van Buren, Mrs. Moore told 
me that she knew him, and that he was one of their 
nearest neighbors, and one of the finest men living 
in the county. At Mr. Marshall's we found a col- 
lection of neighbors, engaged in burying a child near 
Uie road-side. Mrs. Marshall, whom I saw there, 
told me that she knew him, and that he lived in 
Tupelo, Mississippi, and that he and his wife were 
out there on a visit, and that his wife was present 
somewhere in the gathering. 

Just then the wife saw her husband, a prisoner, 
and she began to make a dreadful fuss, crying and 
wringing her hands, and begged of the Lieutenant 
to let him go ; " for," said she, " I know that he will 
never take the oath, and they will hanff him, sure, 
and I shall never, never see Mm again in this ivorldT' 

The Lieutenant passed on with his prisoner, and 
I remained behind until after the detachment h;ul 
all passed, when I started on. Before overtaking 
them, I met the prisoner, coming back, with a 
written statement, signed by the Lieutenant, stating 
that he had been released. Before reaching Bolivar, 
the wagons were loaded with forage. Aside from 
8 



114 FOUR YEARS 

the forage, mules, and contrabands that we gathered, 
the expedition was a failure. 

The men we arrested at G-rand Junction all 
managed to get released. I felt mortified at the 
result, because I felt sure that, if my plans had been 
carried out, we might have made a brilliant little 
affair of it. General Ross reprimanded the officers 
severely for not having obej^ed my instructions. 

The reader can see by the foregoing what might 
have been done on that expedition ; yet it was a 
failure, because the parties concerned neglected to 
obey orders. It is a parallel case, on a small scale, 
to numerous others of greater magnitude, in the 
prosecution of the war. 

Captain Richardson, who made his escape in the 
corn-field, has since been made a Colonel of a rebel 
regiment, raised near Lafayette, Tenn. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 115 



CHAPTER XI. 

Sent to Lagrange — Observes two cavalrymen — Arrival at La- 
grange — Waits for the cavalry — Accompanies them out — Takes 
his departure — Is pursued — Evades the pursuit — Finds himself 
cornered — Crosses the Cypress Swamp — Robbed by outlaws — 
Disloyal citizen — The fate of the robbers. 

Not long after my return from running with tlie 
2d Arkansas Cavalry, General Ross requested me to 
make a general reconnoisance of the country along 
the railroad as far as Lagrange, and to examine 
carefully the trestle-work and bridges of the railroad, 
and to watch for any movement that might be in- 
tended as an attack on the post or a raid upon the 
railroad. 

I went out, disguised as a citizen, mounted on a 
mule. Ten miles from Bolivar I stopped at Mr. 
M 's, where I spent an hour or more in conver- 
sation with the members of the family. Mr. M 

was absent in the hospital, he having been wounded 
in the battle of Shiloh, and had not yet sufficiently 
recovered to enable him to get home. 

While there I received an introduction to Miss 
Armstrong, a sister of the rebel General Armstrong. 
I found her a very frank, open-hearted woman, and 
very hopeful of the Southern cause. She did not 



116 FOUR YEARS 

evade the fact of the gloom and darkness that seemed 
to envelop the cause, but spoke cheerful and hope- 
ful of the result. She inquired if I had any late 
news from "o?*r" forces, and I, in turn, gained as 
much general information of Southern matters as I 
could. 

When passing myself as a citizen of the South, I 
have always found the people affable in their man- 
ners, sociable, and extremely liberal in their hospi- 
tality. Whenever an occasion was offered them of 
rendering any assistance which they supposed was 
furthering the cause they had espoused, their kind- 
ness and generosity knew no restraint. 

Two miles further on is the residence of Captain 
Rose, to whom I paid a visit. Captain Rose had 
served in the United States army eleven years, and 
is one of your genuine Union men, and has always 
been loyal to the Government. I have visited him 
frequently since, and was always made welcome. I 
did not disguise the fact of belonging to the Federal 
army to him, and have several times received from 
him valuable information. It was of rare occurrence 
that I found among the citizens of that locality such 
genuine sentiments of loyalty and devotion to the 
Federal Grovernment as I found in Captain Rose. 

I moved on leisurely, examining the railroad as I 
went, but saw nothing worthy of attention after I 
left Captain Rose until two miles west of Van Buren, 
where the road from Whitesville comes in. As I 
came near that place, I saw two rebel cavalrymen, 
who had been coming up the Grand Junction road, 
turn off toward Whitesville. 



A SCOUT AKD SPY. 117 

" Halloo, boys ! " said I, hailing them, " stop a 
minute ; I want to see you." 

" We have n't time to stop," answered one ; " our 
company has gone on to Whitesville, and we want to 
overtake it." 

They dashed ahead without stopping. Their 
reply, however, answered my purpose. " A company 
of cavalry had gone to Whitesville," and it remained 
for me to find out what it had gone for. The two 
men were without luggage, from which I concluded 
they would return the next day ; and, knowing that 
the rebel forces were principally at Lumpkins' Mills, 
it seemed probable thtit when the company returned 
it would pass through Lagrange, so I resolved to 
go on to Lagrange that night. It was then nearly 
dark. 

I arrived at Lagrange about 11 o'clock at night, 
and halted at the depot. It was very dark, and 
every body had retired for the night, and, not liking 
to blunder about the place for lodgings, lest I might 
encounter some rebel cavalry, I lay down upon the 
depot platform, with my bridle over my arm, ready 
to spring up at the slightest alarm, and went to 
sleep. 

In the morning I repaired to a house of entertain- 
ment, kept by a Mr. Lee, and procured some break- 
fast for myself and feed for my mule. There I 
waited for the return of the cavalry. About 1 o'clock, 
P. M., they came in and halted to feed. 

I did not think that it was prudent to mingle with 
the cavalry while they remained in town, so I had 
my mule got ready, and remained at the public 



118 FOUR YEARS 

house until the cavalry commenced to move out, 
when I mounted and moved out on the same road 
in their rear, and, at a short distance from town, I 
came up with them. I rode along in company with 
them, as if I were a citizen returning to my home 
from town. 

I asked the boys how they liked soldiering, and 
whether they had ever been in any fights, and what 
regiment they belonged to, and various other ques- 
tions, such as I supposed a citizen would naturally 
ask ; and, finally, I inquired where they had been, 
and was told that they had been to Whitesville, on 
a scout, to see whether the Yankees had been com- 
mitting any depredations on the property of the citi- 
zens. In that manner I kept up my conversation 
until we were within three miles of the Cold Water 
Creek, without having excited any suspicion but 
what I was all right. 

I had gone as far as I cared about, and began to 
think up some plan by which I could make my exit 
from their company without exciting suspicion. To 
accomplish my object, I gradually fell back to the 
rear, and the first rise of ground that the cavalry 
went over, that was large enough to hide me from 
view until I could get a good start on my way back, 
I turned about and left them. 

I moved along on a good fast trot, occasionally 
looking back to see if I was pursued. I had made 
about four miles, when, on looking back, I saw a 
squad of fifteen or sixteen cavalry in full chase after 
me. My sudden departure had excited their suspi- 
cions. I put the spurs to my mule and dashed ahead 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 119 

at the top of its speed. My pursuers gained on me. 
I urged my mule still harder, and still they con- 
tinued to gain. My situation seemed a hopeless 
one. I could not outstrip them in the chase, and 
they were rapidly gaining on me. If captured, my 
flight under the circumstances would be conclusive 
evidence against me. Still, on I pressed, the dis- 
tance between myself and pursuers growing rapidly 
less. My mule, too, was becoming exhausted, and 
my pursuers were within five hundred yards of me. 
I had come full three miles since I saw them giving 
chase. Passing a bend in the road, with a growth 
of small trees and brush along the fence that hid me 
from view, I came to a gap in the fence, through 
which I passed into a field. The field was covered 
with stubble and tall weeds. I dashed ahead at 
right angles with the road for about two hundred 
yards, when I entered a basin or depression in the 
surface of the ground, that in a wet time would have 
been a pond, but at that time it was dry. The 
ground was considerably lower than the surface of 
the field between the basin and the road. There I 
dismounted and sat down, and, in an instant more, I 
heard the tramp of horses as my pursuers passed on. 
I had despaired of making my escape, but as my 
pursuers passed on, hope began to revive. It was 
then about sundown. I waited there until dark, and 
then mounted my mule and started on. I knew that 
my pursuers would soon return, and I must manage 
so as not to be seen. When I arrived at the place 
where the road turns off to the right, that goes to 
Davis' Mills, I turned to the left into the edge of a 



120 FOUR YEARS 

piece of woods, where I could see without being seen, 
and halted. 

In a few minutes I heard my pursuers approach- 
ing, who, when they came to the corners, took the 
road to Davis' Mills. I remained under cover of 
the woods until I thought all stragglers of the party, 
if there should be any, had passed, and then went 
on, watching carefully as I went. 

As I was riding along, the thought occurred to me 
that, perhaps, my pursuers might have mistrusted 
that I had turned out into the field to evade them, 
and had placed a picket on the bridge across Wolf 
River, near Lagrange, to capture me if I attempted 
to cross. I rode on to within two hundred yards 
of the bridge, and there I left my mule and w^ent for- 
ward to reconnoiter. When within a few paces of 
the bridge I stopped and listened, but did not hear 
any thing. I moved a few feet further, and then 
I thought I heard a footstep. I crept up still closer, 
and peered forward in the black distance, and there 
I could see, on the bridge, the form of a man. I 
watched and he moved. There was no mistake 
about it ! My fears were realized ! The picket was 
there ! 

The glimmerings of hope that had lightened me 
up as my pursuers passed me now vanished. I was 
completely cornered. The only bridge besides that 
one was, on the Davis Mills road, and my pursuers 
were on that road. Between the two bridges was 
an extensive cypress swamp, and below the bridge 
that I was at was another swamp still worse. The 
only possible way that I could see to get away from 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 121 

my pursuers was to cross the swamp between the 
two bridges. To think of the undertaking was hor- 
rible! 

I crept cautiously back to my mule, mounted, and 
rode through a dense growth of brush to my right, 
until I reached the edge of the swamp, where I 
hatted. To undertake to cross in daylight would be 
hazardous, and in the dark utterly impossible ; so 
I concluded to wait until morning before making the 
attempt. I laid down upon the ground, with my 
bridle over my arm, with the venomous insects and 
serpents as my companions, and the intervening 
brush over my head and the broad canopy of heaven, 
curtained with black clouds, my only covering. 
Such surroundings are not very conducive to sleep, 
but exhausted nature soon yielded, and I slej^t, and 
slept soundly — so soundly that when I awoke in the 
morning the sun was two hours high. 

The mule, to satisfy its hunger, had eaten the 
boughs on the bushes, around where I lay, as far as 
it could reach, and yet it had neither pulled away 
from me nor disturbed my slumbers, but had been 
as careful of me and manifested as much attachment 
for me as a faithful dog would for his master. 

The mule had been presented to me by General 
Ross, and had been a common sharer with me in 
the exj^osures and dangers that I had experienced, 
and had borne me safely thus far, and was, per- 
haps, to be the only friendly companion to 'witness 
the end that would befall me. When I thought of 
my situation, and witnessed the careful attachment 
expressed for me by that dumb animal, I could not 



122 FOUR TEARS 

♦ 

control my feelings, • but embraced the neck of tbat 
mule with joyous affection and wept. 

I had not tasted a mouthful of food since I had 
eaten my breakfast, at the public house, the morning 
before, and I was not in a very fit state of body or 
mind to accomplish such an undertaking as was then 
before me. The tug of war had come, however, and 
the Rubicon had to be crossed. 

Leading my mule by the bridle, I started in, 
sometimes at midsides in mire and water, and then 
on top of a bog or root, and then — splash into the 
water again! On I went, clambering, wallowing, 
splashing, and plunging I As all things earthly have 
an end, so had that swamp ; and, in spite of ven- 
omous moccasins, tangled brush, cypress trees, mire 
and water, I arrived on the bank of the river. 
There I mounted my mule, and forded the river to 
the opposite bank. 

Myself and mule were frightful looking objects, 
from the mire we had wallowed through, and, before 
going any further, it became necessary for me to 
clean off the mule to prevent suspicion. Several 
hours were spent in cleaning and drying before I 
felt safe to venture out. 

As soon as I thought prudent, I mounted my mule 
and rode on across the country. I passed to the 
east of Lagrange, in sight of town, keeping a sharp 
look-out for cavalry. When I reached the Memphis 
and Corinth stage road, I took my course toward 
Bolivar. 

When about two miles from Grrand Junction, I 
saw approaching me from the east, and a long way 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 123 

ahead, three persons on horseback. I resolved to 
face the music this time, let come what would. My 
recent experience at running had satisfied me. As 
they came nearer, I saw that they were dressed like 
citizens, which very much relieved my anxiety. 

One of them was a very large man, of roughly-de- 
fined outline, with light hair and a red face ; the 
second was a medium-sized man, of fair appear- 
ance, and the third was a little man, with small, 
round face, black hair, and sharp, black eyes. Their 
clothing was made of homespun cloth. As they 
met me, two came up on one side and one on the 
other, and halted; so I halted. 

" Good afternoon, stranger! " said the big man, as 
we halted. 

"Good afternoon, gentlemen!" I replied. 

" That 's a fine mule you are riding," continued 
the big man. 

"Yes, it is a tolerable good one." 

" Well, mister, we want that mule, and we are 
going to have it. Get ofi^ from that mule," said the 
big man. Each of them, at the same time, drew out 
a derringer and pointed it at me. 

" You are the strongest party," said I, " and I 
suppose that you must have it." 

I dismounted, and, at the same time, they dis- 
mounted, and the big man took possession of the 
mule. It was like parting with a last friend to give 
up my favorite, but " it had to be did." 

" Have you got any money ? " said the little man, 
coming up and thrusting his hands into my pockets. 
Hq took out every thing that I had in them, and 



124 FOUR TEARS 

then, casting his eyes toward my feet, said: "You 
have got a good pair of boots there ; we want them." 

" Strangers," said I, "that's going a little too far. 
You have got my mule and got my money, and now 
to take my boots and leave me to walk twenty miles 
to my home barefooted is too much. You ca^ri^t 
have them, unless you take them off from my dead body; 
hy G — d, you canH /" 

"That is a little too hard," said the big man; 
"you may keep your boots." 

They then mounted and rode away, leading my 
mule with them, in the direction from which they 
came, and I followed behind them, on foot. It is not 
often that I pray, but then I prayed. My prayer 
was, " that the \lth Illinois Cavalry would come dashing 
down on the road from Bolivar, and ca])ture the lawless 
villains that had robbed me of my mule and my money. ^^ 

Hungry and fatigued, with twenty miles to travel 
on foot, and that, too, upon the top of my misfor- 
tunes of the night before, made me any thing but 
good-natured, and I muttered vengeance to the rob- 
bers that had taken my favorite, if ever an oppor- 
tunity occurred. 

When I reached the house of old Mr. Pruett, 
hunger impelled me to stop. I found the people 
absent, except a daughter and a young lady from a 
neighboring family, that had called in. I found 
them obliging and sociable, and in a few minutes 
their fair hands, secesh as they were, had spread for 
me a bountiful repast, much to the delight of my 
ravenous appetite. I told the ladies that I had been 
robbed of my mule and money, and described to 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 125 

them tlie villains that had done it. The lady that 
had called in said that they answered the descrip- 
tion of three outlaws that had robbed her uncle, a 
few days before, of $3,600 in gold, that he had just 
received for his cotton, and then they beat him on 
the head with their derringers, until they supposed 
he was dead, for having sold his cotton to the Yan- 
kees. She also said that they were supposed to live 
near Ripley, Miss. 

Having satisfied my hunger, I resumed my walk 
toward Bolivar. When I came to the railroad 
crossing, I followed the railroad. I was too tired 
to make rapid progress, and made frequent stops 
to rest myself. When I arrived at Middleburg it 
was between 9 and 10 o'clock at night. As I was 
about passing a well near the depot platform, I saw 
a person drawing a bucket of water. Being thirsty, 
I stopped and asked for a drink. I recognized the 
man as the merchant that kept the brick store near 
by; he, however, did not know me. He handed 
me a drink, and when I returned him the cup, he 
inquired if I had any news. I told him there was 
no news. 

"Have you got a Southern paper?" 

" jSTo, sir." 

" I would give ten dollars for a Southern paper. 
I feel anxious to hear from Baton Rouge." 

" I have no paper and no news from Baton Rouge." 

"Where are you from?" 

" Holly Springs." 

"You from Holly Springs, and ha'n't got any 
news!" 



126 FOUR YEARS 

" Look 'e here, mister, you are a stranger to me ; 
I do n't know who you are," 

"Oh! I am all right!" 

" Well, I do n't know you. I am sent up here on 
special business," said I, in a confidential way. 

''Oh! that's it, is it 9 I didn't know that!" 
Then, patting me on the shoulder, he said, "Go on I 
that 's right ! I hope you will have good luck and 
get through." 

Before daylight next morning I was once more in 
camp at Bolivar. 

The next January, as the army was on its way 
back from its campaign in Mississippi, while riding 
on ahead of the division to which I belonged, I came 
across my favorite mule. It was in company K, of 
the 7th Kansas Cavalry. I went to Captain Bostwick, 
who was in command of the company, and told him 
that he had my mule, and how I came by it and 
how I lost it, and also described the men that took 
it away from me. The Captain returned me the 
mule, and told me that, while making a raid near 
Tupelo, Mississippi, during the fall, he had captured 
three men of the description I had given, and with 
them eighteen mules, including mine, and that the 
men had been sent to Alton, Illinois, as guerrillas ; 
so I never had an opportunity of retaliating on 
them for their outrage to me. I am fully convinced 
that they were professional robbers, and belonged 
to neither army. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 127 



CHAPTER XII. 

Starts to find General Bragg's forces — " Wools " the secesh farmer 
— Receives a bottle of rum — Guerrillas washing stockings — 
Finds Bragg's advance — Recognized as a Yankee spy — Ordered 
ofi" his mule to be shot — The clamor of the crowd — Recognized 
as a Confederate spy — Rebel Surgeon vouches for him — Is re- 
leased — Gray-headed rebel brought to justice — The Sutler of 
the 2d Arkansas Cavalry a prisoner — What became of the guer- 
rillas that were washing stockings. 

The next trij) that I made was under the following 
instructions from General Ross: 

"I understand," said he, "by report from citizens, 
that General Bragg is coming this way with his 
forces, and I want to know whether he really is 
coming or not, and on what road and with how much 
force he is coming. I want you to go to Somer- 
ville, and if you find nothing there, go to Lagrange, 
and thence to Grand Junction, Saulsbury, Middleton, 
and Pocahontas, and then back. If you find a force 
at any place in your route, you will come imme- 
diately back and report. You will make the trip 
with as little delay as possible. 

I received mv instructions in the evenins;, and 
early the next morning, in the disguise of a well- 
dressed citizen, mounted on a mule, I was on my 
way. During the cool of the morning I traveled 



128 FOUR YEARS 

along at a smart trot, and by sunrise I had made 
about eight miles. When about twelve miles out, I 
was about passing a plantation house, when an old 
planter, who was feeding some hogs near the road, 
motioned me to stop. 

" Good morning, stranger," said he, as I reined up. 

" Good morning, sir." 

"Where have you been?" 

" Oh, ho, ho, ho ; I have been to Bolivar," said I, 
laughing. " I have been there a week, and I know 
all about the Yankee forces in there, and now, 
if I can only find General Bragg, then I am all 
right!" 

" Oh, indeed ! I am delighted to hear it. Won't 
you alight and come in?" 

" Well, yes, I do n't care if I do ; for I have been 
riding since before daylight." 

I dismounted and went in, and, as soon as I was 
seated, the old man inquired who I was. 

"I have been acting the Yankee, and I belong to 
General Bragg's command." 

"You do?" 

"Yes, 5/r.^" 

" Well, do you ever drink any ?" 

Oh, yes, I drink when I can get it ; but a man is 
very fortunate to get it these times." 

"I have got some nice rum here; will you try 
some of it?" (offering me a glass and bottle.) 

"Yes, sir! I '11 take a drink of rumy 

"How did you manage to get into Bolivar?" 

" Oh, I told them that I was a Union man, and 
wanted to ^ro in and take the oath!^' 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 129 

"Well, there is right smart of them gets in that 
way, but there a'n't many of them that thinks it 
binding." 

"Yon have taken the oath, I suppose." 

"Yes, we all do that, in order to get along smoothly. 
But, come, breakfast is ready ; sit up and eat some 
breakfast." 

"Thank you; my ride this morning makes me 
quite hungry." 

The breakfast Fas just what I wanted, and his in- 
vitation saved me the trouble of asking for it. \Mien 
I had finished, said I, 

" Mister, look 'e here ; have you got any more of 
that 'divine, adorable stuff?'" 

" Yes, I have got more of it in the cellar." 

" Well, can't you bestow a little more of 3^our hos- 
pitality on a fellow, in the shape of about a pint, to 
put in my pocket and take along ?" 

"Yes, certainly you can," spoke the planter's wife, 
" if I can find any thing to put it in." She then went 
in search of a bottle, and soon returned with a pint 
bottle filled with it, which she stowed away in my 
coat pocket with her own hands. 

With a profusion of thanks and good wishes to them, 
I bade them adieu, and resumed my journey. Some- 
where near three miles east of Somerville is a beauti- 
ful spring, that makes its exit from the ground beneath 
a group of shady elm trees. There I saw three men, 
engaged in ivashing their stocJcings! .It is not usual for 
men to wash their own stockings in the ordinary 
peaceful avocations of life, and the fact of their being 
so engaged, and also dressed like citizens, was con- 
9 



130 FOUR TEARS 

elusive evidence to me that they were guerrillas. 
Riding down to the spring and dismounting, I said, 
pulling out my bottle, " Look 'e here, boys ; here is 
a present that I received this morning; won't you 
try some of it?" 

One of the men took the bottle and drank, and the 
other two declined, saying that they never drank. I 
then took a "little smile" myself, mounted my 
horse, and rode on. 

Finding no troops at Somerville^ on my arrival 
there, I continued on, taking the road that leads 
south to Lagrange, which place I reached late in the 
afternoon. There I found four regiments of infantry 
and two regiments of cavalry. They had just ar- 
rived, and had not yet thrown out any pickets. The 
advance cavalry had but just entered the town, and 
the other troops were coming in the distance. 

I rode along into town among the soldiers, as fa- 
miliarly as if I belonged in the place, and stopped 
near the drug store. Standing within a few feet of 
the drug store, v/as a large, corpulent, red-faced old 
man, with hair almost white, leaning upon a walk- 
ing-staff; near by was a Colonel, dismounted, and 
leaning with his left hand upon his saddle ; all about 
were cavalry soldiers, dismounted. As I reined up, 
the old man pointed to me, and said, " Colonel, there 
is a d — d Yankee spy; he ought to be shot. I know 
him, Colonel, and know that he is a Yankee spy." 

" If he is a Yapkee spy he shall be shot." 

"I have seen him before. I know that he is a 
Yankee spy." 

"A Yankee spy!" "A Yankee spy!" "Shoot 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 133 

him!" "Hang the d — cl son of a b — h!" cried out 
the soldiers, rushing up to get a sight of me. 

"Where do you belong? " inquired the Colonel. 

"My home is in Osceola, Mississippi County, Ar- 
kansas ; but I am from Memphis now." 

" What are you doing here ?" 

"I have been out to Somerville, and beyond to- 
ward Bolivar, to see some friends." 

" Yes, Bolivar I " cried the old man ; " the d — d 
rascal has just come from Bolivar, and there is where 
he belongs. I tell you. Colonel, I know him ; I know 
that he is a Yankee spy." 

" Well, if you know him to be a Yankee spy, I '11 
shoot him. (Addressing me, and drawing his re- 
volver and cocking it :) " Gret off from your mule." 

I dismounted, and one of the soldiers led my mule 
to one side, and the crowd opened behind me. The 
excitement was intense, and the crowd dense, and, in 
its excitement, it swaj^ed to and fro like an angry mob, 
and cries went up from every direction, " Hang him !" 
" Shoot him !" " Shoot the d — d rascal!" I can .not 
picture the horror that filled me. In all that vast 
multitude, there w^as not a friendly eye to witness 
my doom. To escape was utterly impossible ! Die 
I must by the hands of traitors, and my fate be 
wrapped in oblivion to my comrades and relatives ! 
The color left my face and a cold tremor crept over 
me, and such indescribable sensations filled me as 
makes me shudder at this when I think of it. 

Just then Doctor Biggs, surgeon of the 4th Ten- 
nessee Infantry, stepped out of the drug store to 
learn the cause of the excitement. As he came out, 



134 FOUR YEARS 

he saw me and recognized me as the Confederate 
spy that had been captured by the Federal pickets 
near his house, and who had eaten breakfast with 
him. 

" Colonel, you are gwine to shoot the wrong man 
thar," said the doctor. " I know that ar man, and I 
know who he is and whar he belongs. He is tio 
Yankee sj^y." 

"I know that he is a Yankee spy," said the old 
man. 

^^ I hiow better, ^^ said the doctor; "and if you kill 
him, you kill the ivrong man. You ar not a gwine 
to find out his business ; and if you kill him, he '11 
not tell you. I know that he is all right. I have seen 
him in a tighter place than he is in now." Then 
stepping to the soldier that held my mule, he snatched 
the bridle out of his hand, and, turning to me, he 
said : " Here, take your mule ; they are not a gwine 
to shoot you." Then turning to the Colonel, and 
stamping his foot on the ground, he said: "JToi^ are 
not a gwine to shoot that man, for I K'^ow that he is all 
right r' 

"Well, doctor, if you know that he is all right, 
and are willing to vouch for him, I '11 let him go." 

"I will vouch for him, for I know who he is." 
Then turning to me, he said : " G-et on your mule 
and go about your business ; they are not a gwine 
to hurt you." 

I mounted my mule and the soldiers opened the 
way for me, and I went a sailing out of town ; and I 
do n't think I was very long in getting back to Bol- 
ivar. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 135 

I tell you, reader, in that Doctor Biggs I fully 
realized that " a friend in need was a friend indeed^ 
His appearance at that critical moment was as un- 
expected as would have been a visit from an angel 
in heaven. When I reported to General Ross, I 
narrated to him my adventure. 

"Bunker," said he, "don't you know that when 
you go out as a spy, you go, as it were, with a rope 
round your neck, ready for any body to draw it 
tight ? " 

" Yes, I think I had a slight hint of that fact on 
this trip." 

I resolved that if ever an opportunity offered, the 
old, gray-headed rebel at Lagrange should be brought 
to account for his treatment ; so I went to the Pro- 
vost-marshal and gave him a narrative of the adven- 
ture, and a description of the rebel, so that in case he 
should ever visit the place he might be captured. 

About two months after the foregoing adventure 
occurred, Lagrange was occupied by Federal troops, 
and the same officer that was Provost-marshal in 
Bolivar now commanded the post at Lagrange. As 
I was passing along the streets, one day, I saw, not 
ten feet from the place where I first saw him, the 
old, gray-headed rebel, with his staff in his hand. 
His appearance was permanently stereotyped in my 
mind, and I could not be mistaken in the man who 
had so nearly deprived me of my life. 

Drawing my revolver, I walked up to him, saying, 
" You d — d old, gray-headed rebel ! do you remem- 
ber the ' Yankee spy ? ' Do you ' know him ' now ? 
Have you ^ seen him before '^^ " 



136 rOUR YEARS 

"What do you mean? " said he; "I do n't under- 
stand you!" 

^^Yoio do ^nt know what I mean ! You do n't re- 
member telling the rebel Colonel, standing in the 
tracks where you now stand, ^ I know him; I have 
seen him before; I knoiv that he is a Yankee sjyy!^ 
Do n't tell me, you old, gray-headed villain, that 
you do nH know ivhat I mean I You start with me to 
the commander of the post, or I '11 blow your brains 
out here ! " 

The old fellow led the way and I followed, with 
my revolver cocked. 

" Colonel," said I, as we entered his office, " here 
is the old, gray-headed devil that said to the rebel 
Colonel, 'Kill the Yankee spy; ' and I have brought 
him in for you to dispose of." 

"Bunker," said the Colonel, "a'n't you mis- 
taken ? " 

"No, I a'n't! I know him, and I found him stand- 
ing in the very place where he tried to have me 
shot ! " Then turning to the old man, I said: "Did n't 
you tell the rebel Colonel that I was a Yankee spy, 
and try to have him shoot me ? Tell me the truth, 
or I HI kill you right here .^" 

"Ye — yes, I — believe I — d-do — recollect it now." 

" You old whelp! you deserve to he shot!^'' said the 
Colonel. " Here I have been guarding your house, 
and guarding your mules, and boarding with you ; 
and you representing yourself to have always been a 
Union man, and the oath in your pocket that you took last 
summer I " Then turning to me, he said : " Bunker, 
I '11 dispose of him as he ought to be." 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 137 

" Thank you, Colonel, I wish you would." 

The next morning the guards were removed from 
the old man's premises, and he was put aboard the 
cars, in. irons, destined to go North. 

A day or two afterward I happened to be passing 
by where a number of rebel prisoners were confined, 
and there I saw the sutler of the 2d Arkansas Cav- 
alry (the regiment that I run with so long). The 
sutler knew me, and motioned to me to come in ; so 
I got permission of the officer in charge to go in and 
see him. He still supposed that I was secesh. 

" Ruggles," said he, " I am here under arrest as a 
guerrilla. Now, joii know that I am no guerrilla, 
but a regularly authorized sutler in the 2d Arkansas 
Cavalry. I wish you would see the commander of 
the post and explain that fact to him, so that I may 
be treated as a prisoner of war, and not as an 
outlaw." 

"Well, I will tell him what I know about it. 
Perhaps he will recognize you as a prisoner of war." 

" Thank you ! Do what you can for me. But, be- 
tween you and I, (speaking confidentially,) I quit 
sutlering and joined a band of guerrillas, because I 
thought that I could make more money at it. It 
was all bad management that we got captured." 

Just then another prisoner came up, and, taking 
me by the hand, said, " Do n't you know me ? " 

"No, I do n't remember you, as I know of" 

" Do you remember of seeing three men at the 
spring, three miles east of Somerville, last summer, 
when you was riding by, and of offering them some 
rum to drink ? " 



138 FOUR YEARS 

" Oh, yes ! I do recollect it now." 

" Well, I am the man that drank with you, and 
the other two are here." 

"Are they?" 

" Yes. Now, you know that we are only citizens, 
and that we do n't belong to any guerrilla band." 

" Of course I do ! You are no guerrillas ! " 

" If you please, I want to have you go and see 
the commanding oflicer, and tell him that we are not 
guerrillas, but peaceable, quiet citizens." 

" Certainly, boys ! I '11 help you out of this, if I 
can?" 

I went to the commander of the post and told him 
what ^^ I knew ahout them," and did all I could to 
^^get them out of that," and a few days after they 
were all sent North in irons. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 139 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Reconnoiters Hickory Flats with a squad of seven men — Shoots 
at the mark — Orders to march with two days' rations — Cause 
of the alarm — Reconnoiter beyond Whitesville — Major Mudd's 
trap — "Bunker" entices the rebs into it — Rides into the trap 
behind a rebel Captain — Sent out beyond Pocahontas — Passes 
as a rebel artillerist — Secesh citizen stands guard for him — 
The very kind secesh lady — The anxious wife — Discovers 
guerrillas burning a human being. 

Near the close of September, General Hurlbut 
araivecl at Bolivar, with his division, from. Memphis, 
and assumed command of the post. General Ross 
recommended me to him as a reliable and successful 
spy. I knew the General, but had never worked 
for him. I will here acknowledge that I am in- 
debted to General Hurlbut for some of the best 
lessons that I have ever received in regard to my 
duties as a spy. 

The first time that I went out for General Hurl- 
but, he told me that he wanted I should go out to 
the Hickory Flats, and scout all over the flats and 
see if I could find any rebel cavalry. I asked the 
privilege of taking seven men with me, which was 
granted, and I was told to select such men as I 
preferred. At that time detachments of the enemy, 
mostly cavalry, were scattered about the country, 



140 FOUR YEARS 

watching for opportunities to annoy us, by attacking 
our forage parties, and making raids upon the rail- 
road that we depended uj^on to transport our sup- 
plies. It had been extremely difficult to find such 
detachments, because they usually stayed but a 
short time in a place, and generally encamped in 
some back, out-of-the-way place, concealed by swamps, 
woods, and cane-brakes, reached by unfrequented 
roads or paths. The object of my trip was to ex- 
amine thoroughly the Hickory Flats and its vicinity 
for any such detachments. 

I selected my men, and proceeded to the place 
and examined it, so far as I could, on the day that 
I went out. I remained there over night, and in 
the morning resumed my work, and by noon had 
thoroughly reconnoitered the locality, without having 
discovered any detachments of the enemy. We tjien 
eat dinner, and prepared to return. 

As we were about to leave. Sergeant Downs, one 
of my squad, proposed that, inasmuch as we were 
fifteen miles away from camp, I allow the men to 
shoot a few rounds at a mark, for practice. Not 
thinking that there might be any serious consequences 
resulting from it, I consented. We all engaged in 
shooting, following one after the other in quick suc- 
cession, until we had fired, in all, forty-seven shots. 
I was not aware that any other scouting party had 
been sent out. Having finished our shooting, we 
returned to camp. It was late when we arrived, 
and, being very tired, I deferred reporting to Greneral 
Hurlbut until the next morning. 

About 2 o'clock in the morning the troops were 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 141 

wakened up, and given orders to put two days' 
cooked rations in their haversacks, and be ready to 
march at a moment's notice. It seemed a strange 
move for me, for I thought that I was as well posted 
as any body of the whereabouts of the enemy. I 
could not comprehend what the move meant. 

My curiosity became so excited about it, that I 
started for head-quarters to report much earlier than 
I otherwise would have done. As I passed the 
different camps, every thing was bustle and hurry, 
with preparations for a march. The cavalry horses 
were saddled and the artillery horses harnessed, in 
preparation for a move. Something was up, sure, 
and I wondered what it could be. 

"What's up? What do you think is the mat- 
ter?" said I, calling to an artilleryman, as I passed. 

" The cavalry that went out yesterday reported a 
large force of rebel cavalry on the Hickory Flats, 
and I expect that we are going out there," was the 
reply. 

It was all clear enough then ! I had done the 
mischief ! I felt badly worked up about it. I knew 
that I had no business to fire a gun ; but I was so 
far away that I did not suppose any of our forces 
would hear it. It was my first scout for General 
Hurlbut, and I expected that it would destroy his 
confidence in me. I expected a severe rebuke, at 
least, and I dreaded to report. I determined, how- 
ever, to face the music, let come what would ; so I 
went in. 

" Good morning, General," said I, saluting him 
as I went in. "I have got back." 



142 FOUR YEARS 

" Good morning, Bunker. What 's the news ? " 

" ]S"othing ; I have n't got any news this morning." 

"Where did you go?" 

♦'I went right where you told me to go — out to 
Hickory Flats, and back, by way of Middleburg, to 
camp." 

" Have you been out to the Hickory Flats ? " 

" Yes, sir." 

"Did you see any rebel cavalry there?" 

" IN'o, sir, I did not." 

" Well, Bunker, your report and that of the cav- 
alry do n't agree at all." 

" I can't help it, General ; I have been right where 
you told me to go, and I did not see any rebel cav- 
airy." 

^'Bunker l^' said the General, with emphasis, "(Zo 
you come here and tell me that you have been down on 
the HicJcory Flats, and that there i^ no rebel cavalry 
there'?'' 

" Yes, sir, I do. I know what the trouble is. I 
expect that I '11 catch " Hail Columbia " now ! I 
caused the mischief." 

"How so?" 

"After I finished my reconnoissance yesterday, 
before starting back, I allowed the men to fire at the 
mark, and they kept up a pretty brisk fire until they 
had fired forty-seven shots. I suspect that the cavalry 
has been out there and heard it. I knew that we 
were fifteen miles away from camp, and I did not 
think that we might cause an alarm by it." 

"That's a, fact, is it?" 

"Yes, sir." 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 143 

"Yery well; tliat will do. Be careful the next 
time." 

An hour later all was quiet in camp ; the horses 
were unharnessed, and every thing moved oif as usual. 

A little incident took place during a reconnoissance 
to a small town on the right bank of the Hatchee 
River, west of Whitesville, some time in September. 
1862, that I will here narrate. 

A brigade of infantry, a regiment of cavalry, a 
battery of artillery, and the detachment known as the 
"mule cavalry" constituted the force. The cavalry 
was the 2d Illinois, under the command of Major 
Mudd. When within four miles of the town, the in- 
fantry and artillery halted, and the 2d Illinois and 
mule cavalry went on to the river. 

On several occasions, scounting parties of cavalry 
had dashed into the town, and they had always 
found some rebel cavalry, who, on the approach 
of the Federal cavalry, would skedaddle, taking a 
path that led to a ford across the river, and hide 
themselves among the canes that grew upon the 
bottoms along the river. To prevent their escape, on 
this occasion, Major Mudd sent two companies and 
the " mule cavalry " by the road into town, and took 
the balance of his command down, the river to the 
ford that I have mentioned, and disposed his men 
among the canes in such a way as not to be seen 
from the side of the river next to the town, and, at 
the same time, be able to capture all that crossed at 
the ford. 

I accompanied the Major, and, after he had got 



144 FOUR YEARS 

his men satisfactorily arranged, I undressed and 
waded to the opposite side to see how things looked 
there. Having dressed myself, I proceeded to ex- 
amine the locality. I found that, at a few paces 
from the river, there was a path that turned down 
the stream and crossed at a ford below where the 
Major had set his trap. It was then too late to 
change the disposal of the men,- so I resolved to act 
as " stool-pigeon " to the Major's trap. I stationed 
myself where I would be in plain view of any person 
that might take the wrong path, and whenever a 
man would incline to turn down the river, I would 
motion to him to come toward me, as if I mistrusted 
there was something wrong down below, and as he 
came up, I would say to him, as if by way of cau- 
tion, " There is Lincoln cavalry down there ; you had 
better cross here." 

Some rode across the ford without any enticing, 

^and others inclined to take the wrong path; such 
I would entice to take the right path. In this I was 
successful at every attempt. My dress being like 
that of a citizen, they did not mistrust my character, 
I had succeeded in enticing five men into the trap, 
when a rebel Captain made his appearance, with a 
pair of beautiful mouse-colored mules, as sleek as 
moles, and manifested a disposition to take the wrong 
path. He was riding one of the mules himself, and 
a colored boy was riding the other. I motioned to 
the Captain to come toward me. As he came up — 
"There is Lincoln cavalry down that way," said I ; 
" you had better cross here. What's the matter up 

' in town?" 













\ 


A t 



^ 




10 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 147 

" The town is full of Lincolnites ! " 

"They'll be down here directly, then, I reckon. 
I had better get out of this. Won't you let me get 
on behind you and ride across ? " 

"Yes, come this way." He rode alongside of a 
bank of earth, and I straddled the mule, behind him. 
"We crossed the stream, and had ascended the bank 
on the opposite side, when, discovering the Lincoln- 
ites, with their carbines leveled at us, he exclaimed, 
" Whoa, mule ! Captured, by G — d ! Both of us ! 
I swear, that 's too bad ! Here I am, within five 
miles of my command, and captured! " 

" That 's a fact, Captain, but we can't help it now. 
I expect we had better ride on up; it's no place to 
trade jack-knives here ! " So we went on. 

"Whew I" said the Major, "that's the way I like 
to see you come ; when you come, come double !" 

We rode up to the Major, who ordered us to dis- 
mount, and, taking possession of the mules, he said, 
pointing to the group he had already captured : 
" There, you had better go right down there, out of 
sight ; that 's the best place for you. How do you like 
my trap. Captain ? " 

" I think it 's a very good one ; it caught me 
mighty nice ! " 

He felt sold over his capture, and doubly so when 
he learned that / had enticed him into the trap. The 
Major having succeeded in entrapping eighteen " very 
fine " rebs, we returned with the brigade to Bolivar. 

On the 3d day of October, General Price attacked 
General Rosecrans at Corinth, Miss., and, after a 
severe engagement, was defeated and compelled to 



148 FOUR YEARS 

retreat. General Hurlbut immediately marched the 
troops under his command to General Rosecrans' as- 
sistance. On his way, he met the rebel army on its 
retreat, while it was crossing the Hatchie River, and 
comj^letely routed it. 

A few days after the return of General Hurlbut's 
command to Bolivar, he sent me out to find where 
the scattered fragments of General Price's army were 
concentrating. I was allowed to take a man with 
me, and was requested to make the trip as quickly 
as possible. As I was about leaving the General's 
quarters, he called to me, " Here, come back ! " I 
went back, and he continued : " I want you to un- 
derstand that you are to work for me now. I do n't 
want you to tattle on the picket line. I have been 
told that you have sometimes reported to your 
Colonel ; you might as well report to a corjporal as to 
a Colonel, unless he sends you out. I w^ant you to 
report to me." 

" General, explain to me, if you please, what that 
means. I have never reported to a Colonel but once." 

" Well, that 's once too much. That 's the reason 
the detachment of Armstrong's cavalry was not cap- 
tured, that you reported to General Ross, the other 
day." 

I begged the General's pardon, and promised to 
do better. I have been very careful since not to re- 
port to any body but the officer that sent me out. 

I selected Sergeant E. W. Quackenbush, of the 
20th Ohio, to accompany me. He had been with me 
on previous scouts. We were on foot, disguised like 
rebel soldiers belonging to artillery. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 149 

Owing to the lateness of the hour of our departure, 
when nioht came on we had made but about seven 
miles. Stopping at the gate in front of a farm-house, 
just before dark, and, addressing tne man of the 
'house, who was standing on the porch, I said: 
" Halloo, mister, can we get a little supper here, and 
stay all night?" 

"Well, no, sir; the Yankees have done taken all 
that I had ; you can't get any supper here." 

"Partner," said I to the Sergeant, "let us go on. 
Blast that man's picture ! he '11 hear from me some 
day to pay for treating his own soldiers in that way ! " 

" Hold on, soldiers ! " said the man ; " where do 
you belong? " 

"I am Orderly Sergeant of Price's 1st Battery of 
Artillery," I replied, " and this man with me belongs 
to the same battery. We were captured by the 
Yankees, and have succeeded in getting away from 
them ; we have been without any thing to eat for 
twenty-four hours." 

"Yes, yes!" said the man's wife, who had heard 
what had been said; "you can have something to 
eat, and you can have the best bed in the house ! 
Come in, boys, come in." 

We went in and sat down. " You were in the 
fight on the Hatchie, the other day, were you?" said 
the man. 

"Yes, till we got cajitured." 

"Well, how did the fight come oif?" 

" I can't tell you very much about it. When we 
had fired only three rounds, some Lincoln cavalry 
charged right up to us, and captured us and our bat- 



150 FOUR YEARS 

tery, and immediately sent us to the rear; conse- 
quently, I do n't know much about it." 

"I declare!" said he; "I would like to hear from 
the fight ! " « 

"Have you lived in these parts long? " 

"Yes, I was raised in this county." 

" You have taken the oath to the Lincoln Govern- 
ment, I suppose ? " 

" Yes, we all do that. I was obliged to do it, but 
I do n't consider it binding at all. I have been in 
the Confederate army fifteen months ! You did n't 
know that, did you, boys?" 

" No ; you had better keep that thing to your- 
self, for if the Yankees find it out they '11 hang 
you." 

" Pshaw ! I am not afraid of their finding it out. 
But, come boys, I see that supper is ready; sit up 
and eat some supper." 

The lady of the house bad prepared us a meal 
worthy of veterans in a nobler cause than we feigned 
to represent. The table was bountifully supplied. 
In times of peace a better table would rarely have 
been set. It had been a long time since our eyes 
had rested upon such a meal. I think, however, that 
we did the subject justice. 

Having finished our supper and shoved back, the 
Sergeant began to show signs of drowsiness, and in 
a few minutes was asleep in his chair. " That's a 
hrave, gallant soldier,'^ said I. " Yery few men have 
the daring and the courage that he possesses ; but I 
see that the 2)oor fellow is tired out with his hardships, 
and has gone to sleej).^' 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 151 

Poor soldier ! ^^ exclaimed the lady, "//ow the ^oor 
soldiers do have to suffer !^^ 

" Yes, and there are very few persons, outside of 
the army, that realize the hardships and sufferings 
that the soldiers have to endure." 

" God bless their brave hearts ! " she exclaimed ; '•^hoiv 
I do pity thertiV 

The "poor soldier" was wakened up and shown to 
bed. Before retiring, I took off my belt and revolver, 
and, handing it to the man, I said: "N^ow, mister, I 
would like to ask another favor of you. Can't you 
tak^ this revolver and keep watch for us to-night, 
while we sleep, so that we can both get one good 
night's sleep? Can't you afford to do that much 
for us ? We have got away from the Yankees, and 
we don't want to be captured again." 

" Yes, I '11 stand guard for you. How did you 
keep the Yankees from taking your revolver? " 

" I had it rolled up in my coat, and I carried my 
coat under my arm ; they did not suspect that I had 
one." 

"Well, that was lucky, wasn't it?" 

"Yes, it was lucky for me, but my partner lost 
his." 

I then retired to bed. Before I had gone to sleep, 
the man visited my room, and said: "If the Yan- 
kees come, you must unhook the window-blind, shove 
it open, and jump out, and run down into a gully 
behind the stable and hide, and when the Yankees 
are all done gone, I '11 come down and tell you." 
For some time before closing my eyes in sleep, I 
could hear the man pacing back and forth across the 



152 FOUR TEARS 

floor, like a sentry pacing his beat. The night passed 
away and we enjoyed a most refreshing sleep, under 
the ^^ guarding influence " of our secesh friend. We 
arose early in the morning to renew our journey, 
and found our guard still on duty. We were about 
to leave, when the man said, "You'll stop with us 
to breakfast, won't you ? " " No, I thank you ; we 
should be glad to, but we must go, for I am afraid 
that the Yankees will be after us by-and-by, and we 
do not want to get captured again. We are under 
very great obligations to you for our excellent sup- 
per and the refreshing sleep that we have had. You 
have been a soldier, and you know, by experience, 
how very grateful a soldier feels for such kindness." 
We then shook hands with him and his wife, bade 
them a good-by, and went on. 

When we had traveled about six miles, we came 
to a large, fine, white house, with every thing about 
it that indicated wealth and refinement. Our walk 
had created an appetite for breakfast, and we con- 
cluded to give the people of the house a call. I 
noticed, as Ave entered, that breakfast was about 
read}^ Addressing myself to the lady of the house, 
said I, " Can we get some breakfast here this morn- 
ing? We are in rather a tight place. We 
were captured by the Yankees in the fight on the 
Hatchee, and we have run away from them; they 
have robbed us of all our money, and we have got 
nothing to pay you with." 

" Why, certainly you can have some breakfast. 
How you poor soldiers do have to suffer ! Sit down 
and rest yourselves." 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 163 

We sat clown, and but a few minutes elapsed be- 
fore breakfast was ready, when we were invited to sit 
up with the family. The Sergeant was seated next 
to the lady, and I next to him. I had finished my 
breakfast, and was about shoving back, when the 
lady of the house said: " Bo nH he in a hurry, my dear 
soldiers; eat all you want; we have got plenty. You 
do n't know when you will get any thing to eat 
again." 

I thanked her, and shoved back. When the Ser- 
geant had finished, she said: "iVoto, dear soldiers, fill 
your pockets with those nice wheat biscuits. The 
Lord only knows when you will get any thing more. 
How I do pity youV 

The Sergeant declined, but she insisted. " You 
must take some. As likely as not you won 't get any 
thing again for several days ; do take some. Here, 
take these," (and she began to stufl" them into his 
pockets, v/hich she continued until she had filled 
them full.) " There ; how nicely they will relish." 

" Partner," said I, " we had better be getting back 
to the woods again, for the Yankees might come 
along and find us." 

"Yes," said the lady, 'V7o he very careful. Don't 
let them take you if you can help it, for you do n't 
know how much you might have to suffer. Horn glad 
I am to help you I " 

Thanking her for her good wishes and kindness, 
we proceeded on our way. 

That lady was a nohle, generous-hearted woman, 
and her eyes sparkled with crystals of sympathy 
while she was bestowing upon us those little acts of 



154 ^ FOUR YEARS 

kindness. So full had she filled the Sergeant's 
pockets with cakes, that they rendered him uncom- 
fortable while walking, and he was obliged to throw 
part of them away. 

The next house that we stopped at was occupied 
by an elderly lady, who, when we entered, was en- 
gaged in churning. She invited us to be seated, 
and then said: " Have you been in the fight? " 

" Yes, we were in the fight and were captured, 
and have made our escape." 

" Dear me ! how anxious I do feel about my hus- 
band ! " 

"Was he in the fight?" 

"Yes, he took his gun and went down to help 
whip the Yankees; I am so afraid that he is killed 
that I do n't know what to do ! What a dreadful 
thing it would be if he should get killed ! " 

We listened to the lady's expressions of anxiety 
about her husband until the churning was finished, 
when she gave us some buttermilk to drink, which, 
with some of our nice wheat cakes, made us an ex- 
cellent lunch. 

From there we went on, without seeing any thing of 
interest until we came to the vicinity of Middleton. 
As we approached that place, we saw a dense smoke 
arise, and smelt a peculiar odor, which was so strong 
and peculiar as to attract our attention, and lead us 
to suspect that all was not right. We moved along 
cautiously, keeping a sharp look-out for soldiers or 
guerrillas. As we rose to the top of the hill to the 
west of the town, w^e could see a large fire, and about 
thirty men standing around it, with long poles in 



A SOOUT AND SPY. 155 

their hands. The odor that arose was almost intoi* 
arable. This was about 3 o'clock in the after- 
noon. We crept up as near as we could without ex- 
posing ourselves to full view, and then — oli^ horrible 
to tell ! — we could see the men move about excitedly, 
and push with their poles something into the fire. 
Then sparks would fill the air, and we could hear 
screams like those of human beings. Amid the 
screams would arise horrid oaths, and cries of ''^ Bring 
on another V 

I did not see a human form in the fire ; but that 
odor^ those screams, intermingled with such horrid 
blasphemy, was unmistakable evidence that some poor 
mortal was suifering the hellish torture of a band of 
guerrillas ! Perhaps some brave soldier, unable to 
keep up with his command on its return from the 
late battle ; or some citizen, whose loyalty made him 
dare to breathe his sentiments ; or, some poor mor- 
tal so unfortunate as to possess a sable complexion, 
was there, immolated upon the altar of fiendish re- 
venge. As much used to sights of sufi'ering as I have 
been, the recollection of that scene, as I call it to 
mind, makes me shudder to think of it. 

We did not dare to remain there long, lest it 
might be our turn next to gratify their hellish bar- 
barism. We went back down the hill, and took off 
in another direction. We soon found the country 
full of guerrillas and squads of soldiers, that had be- 
come routed during the fight. They were gathering 
together in small squads wherever they could, some 
with arms and some without. The victory to the Fed- 
eral troops had been a complete route of Price's army. 



156 FOUR YEARS 

I did not go as far as I had intended to go, because 
the state of the country was such that I deemed it 
imprudent to venture further; so we returned to camp 
the next day. I did not find out where the scattered 
troops were concentrating. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 157 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Starts on a trip for General Lauman — His instructions — A Con- 
federate widow — Discovers a squad of rebel soldiers — Captures 
part of their arms — Learns the whereabouts of guerrillas — At- 
tempt to capture them — Guerrillas escape — Captures a prisoner 
— Cause of • guerrillas' escape — The "General" and squad get 
arrested — The charges and specifications. 

When General Hurlbut took command of the 
District of Jackson, with his headquarters at Jack- 
son, Tenn,, Brigadier-General Lauman took com- 
mand of the j^ost at Bolivar. 

On the 13th day of October, 1862, I reported to 
General Lauman for orders to go out on a scout. I 
received instructions to take with me a squad of ten 
men, and reconnoiter thoroughly a strip of country 
that lay south of Bolivar, between the road to Grand 
Junction, which would be on my right, and the road 
to Pocahontas, which would be on my left. I was 
ordered to kill all the guerrillas that I could find, 
bring in all that I had strong suspicions were guer- 
rillas, and capture all the straggling rebel soldiers 
and arms that I could find. The General also told 
me that he would send out cavalry on my right, on 
the Grand Junction road, and, on my left, on the Po- 
cahontas road. He did not limit me in time, or the 
distance to go, nor instruct me to take rations. I 



158 FOUR TEARS 

have usually, when out as a scout or spy, got my 
subsistence wherever I went. 

The men that I selected to accompany me were 
Sergeants W. G. Downs and Thomas Watson, and 
eight privates, all of them from the 20th Ohio In- 
fantry. It was nearly noon of the day I received 
my instructions before we were ready to march. The 
day was extremely warm, and we made but slow 
progress. We did not follow any road, but took our 
way across the fields and woods, and examined all 
the valleys that lay along our route for any signs 
that might exist of cavalry or guerrillas. 

At 5 o'clock in the afternoon, we called at a 
house about eight miles from Bolivar, which we 
found to be owned and occupied by a widow lady by 
the name of Cheshire, who, by the way, is what 
might be called a Confederate widow. Her husband 
had belonged to the Confederate army, but had de- 
serted. He came home and took the oath of allegi- 
ance, but, unfortunately for him, was captured by the 
Confederate authorities, and the oath found in his 
pocket. He was carried back to the rebel army and 
hung. In my scouts in the Southern Confederacy, I 
found that widoios were of frequent occurrence, and 
the proportion of them to the population remaining 
at home was astonishingly large. I am inclined to 
think that many of the ladies chose to call them- 
selves widows, rather than admit to Union soldiers 
(if they knew them to be such) that their husbands 
were in the rebel army. I call them all, whether 
real or professed, that have become such on account 
of the war. Confederate widows. 



^ A SCOUT AND SPY. 159 

At Mrs. Cheshire's we procured our supper, which 
was provided and served up by her with a cheerful- 
ness and willingness not characteristic of an enmity 
to the Federal Government. I oifered to pay her, 
but she positively refused to receive any compen- 
sation. 

After we had finished our supper, we moved a 
mile and a half, to Mr. Campbell's, where we halted 
for the night. Mr. Campbell was absent from home, 
but his wife extended to us every assistance that she 
could to make us comfortable. She gave us a room 
in the house to occupy during the night, and in the 
morning a bountiful breakfast was prepared for us, 
of which sweet potatoes and chickens formed no in- 
considerable part. I offered to pay her, but she re- 
fused to accept any remuneration, and exj^ressed 
astonishment at the gentlemanly behavior of the 
whole party. She said that it was the first time that 
Federal soldiers had ever visited her house, and she 
had heard that they were nothing but a set of thieves 
and robbers, and, for that reason, she had been hap- 
pily disappointed in our behavior. 

Thanking her for her compliments and hospitality, 
we bade her a good morning, and resumed our march. 
We had proceeded only about two miles, when we 
discovered a small squad of rebel soldiers, in a large 
cotton-field, at some distance in advance of us and 
to our right. As soon as they saw us, they broke 
for the woods ; the distance that they had in advance 
made it useless for us to jDursue. 

Near the road, and between where we saw them 
and ourselves, stood a dwelling-house. Having ob- 



160 FOUR YEARS 

served that but one of the rebs had arms, the thought 
occurred to me that the others might have left theirs 
at the house, and that our approach had been dis- 
covered too h\te to allow of a return for them ; so I 
determined to institute a search. On entering, I 
inquired of an elderly man present if there were 
any arms about the house. He said there was not. 
I told him that I had reason to believe that there 
was. He insisted that there was not. A search 
was made, and three guns were found, which we 
carried with us. 

At nioht we halted fourteen miles from Bolivar. 
On former trips, I had learned that a squad of 
guerrillas were stopping somewhere in that vicinity; 
during the day we had obtained a partial list of 
their names, and had learned that they wore har- 
bored by a Mr. W. S. Perry, who was also supposed 
to be one. This information we gathered from the 
people that we saw in our route. 

At 3 o'clock the next morning we were again 
under way, on a road leading direct to Mr. Ferry's. 
When we had gone about a mile, we came to a farm- 
house, where I halted my men, and aroused the 
inmates by rapping upon the door, which was an- 
swered by, "Who is there?" 

"A friend," I replied. 

"What do you want?" 

" I want you to get up and come to the door." 
Hearing some one come to the door, I inquired 
where Mr. W. S. Perry lived, and was asked, 

"Who are you?" 
I sha'n't tell you," was my reply. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 161 

"Then I sha'n't tell where Mr. Perry lives," was 
the response. 

Fearing to make any disturbance that might spoil 
my plans, I proceeded on my way, without obtaining 
the desired information. At the next house I in- 
quired again for Mr. Perry, but the occupant refused 
to inform me. These refusals increased ni}'' suspicions 
that he was not all right. Not knowing certainly 
but that I was already at his house, I distributed 
my men among the negro-quarters in the yard, to 
capture any persons that might attempt to escape. 
It was time for daylight to make its appearance, 
but a dense fog had arisen, which made it difficult to 
see. 

Having arranged my men to my satisfaction, I 
returned to the door of the house, which I found 
open, and was met by an aged woman, who told me 
that her name was Tabitha Perry, and that she was 
grandmother of W. S. Perry, and that W. S. Perry 
lived in the next house. 

While I was engaged in conversation with the old 
lady, two men were seen to run out of one of the 
outbuildings that stood in the yard ; the density of 
the fog prevented shooting them, or observing whither 
they went; so, they made their escape. On exam- 
ining the building they were seen to emerge from, 
it was found to have the appearance of being nearly 
filled with cotton-seed, but in the center of the build- 
ing there was a large vacant space, and in it was a 
bed that was yet warm from the animal heat of the 
persons that had occupied it. 

We then searched carefully all the buildings in 
11 



162 FOUR YEARS 

the yard, but witliout success. From there we went 
to the residence of W. S. Perry, only a short dis- 
tance from the residence of the okl Lady. We found 
Mr. Perry at home, and arrested him. In searching 
his house, we found considerable quantities of goods, 
that looked as if they might have been remnants 
from some dry goods store ; or, what is more prob- 
able, the booty of some band of outlaws. 

We captured at W. S. Perry's one horse and two 
mules, and at the old lady's house one horse and one 
mule. The bed that we found in the cotton-seed at 
the old lady's we gave to the niggers on the place, 
except two quilts that we used to put upon the mules' 
backs, to ride on. 

Very much against Mr. Perry's washes, I com- 
pelled him to furnish myself and men with break- 
fast, which was no more, perhaps, than he would 
have done willingly to as many guerrillas, if we had 
not been seen in the neighborhood. 

When breakfast was over, we commenced our re- 
turn to camp, taking with us our j^risoner and cap- 
tured property. The men were much in need of 
saddles and bridles, with which to ride the captured 
mules and horses, and requested the privilege of 
taking them if they could be found ; to which I 
consented, providing they could be found on the 
premises of the man who refused to give me informa- 
tion about Perry. The man's name, I had learned, 
was Dougherty. 

When we arrived at Dougherty's place, we halted, 
and the men commenced to search for saddles and 
bridles, and, in a few minutes, reported to me that 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 103 

they had found twelve United States army saddles and 
as many bridles. I told them to take five of them. 
Dougherty remonstrated, but the men told him that 
he had no business with that kind of proj^erty in 
his possession, and took them along. 

On our way back to Bolivar, I learned the reason 
why we did not find any more guerrillas at Perry's. 
A colored boy, belonging to Mr. William Moore, of 
Yan Buren, had been sent to mill, and, while on his 
way, he happened to see us. On his return, he told 
his master that he had seen some Yankee soldiers 
in the woods, and that they were going south. Dr. 
Tansey Bussel, a man of disloyal proclivities, hap- 
pened to be present, and heard what the colored 
boy said. The doctor had some Enfield and Whit- 
ney rifles in his possession, that he had managed to 
get of unprincipled Federal soldiers, which he had 
collected for the benefit of the guerrillas. As soon 
as he heard of the Yankee soldiers being in the 
woods, he concluded, readily enough, what their 
business was ; so he took his guns, eight in all, and 
carried them over to Perry's, and gave them to the 
guerrillas, and warned them that there were Yan- 
kee scouts in the vicinity. There was eleven of 
them, besides W. S. Perry. On hearing about the 
scouts, they all left and went to Saulsbury, except 
W. iS. Perry, John Shaw, and Gid. Gralloway. The 
two latter were the persons that escaped from the 
out-building in the old lady's yard. 

'W'hen we arrived within six miles of Bolivar, I 
sent the five men that were not mounted across the 
country, by the shortest route, to camp, and the rest 



164 FOUR YEARS 

of US went on by way of the road. At Mr. Law- 
horn's, near Dunlap's Springs, we halted a short 
time, and three of us went into the house. Mr. 
Lawhorn was absent from home. One of the men 
asked Mrs. Lawhorn for some milk, which she re- 
fused, saying that she had none. From the colored 
people about the house the man learned that she 
had milk in abundance, and where it was, of which 
he helped himself, and then passed some to the rest 
of the squad. ]S"one was wasted and nothing else 
was disturbed. 

Having rested ourselves, we went on to Bolivar. 
I immediately turned over my prisoner to the Pro- 
vost-marshal, Lieutenant W. S. Dewey. I also 
gave him a list of the names of those that I had 
been informed were guerrillas. It was after noon 
when we arrived, and we had eaten nothing since 
breakfast, and, being very hungry, I took my men 
into camp to get my dinner, before reporting to Gen- 
eral Lauman. On my arrival in camp, I told Col- 
onel Force what property I had brought in, and 
asked him what I had better do with it, and was 
told to turn it over to the post Quartermaster. I 
told him that I would, as soofi as I had eaten some 
dinner. 

I had eaten my dinner, and was on my way to 
see about turning over the captured property, when 
I was met by some guards, with an order from Lieu- 
tenant W. S. Dewey, Provost-marshal, to arrest me. 
I accompanied them to the Provost-marshal's office, 
where I found Lieutenant Dewey, in a dreadful rage. 

"What do you want of me?" I asked. 



A SCOUT A-^B SPY. 165 

" I want to hang you, and all the rest of the G — d 
d — d robbers that were with you ! " was his reply. 

"What is that for?" 

"For going through the country and deceiving 
the people, and representing yourself as a citizen of 
Tennessee." 

" I have never been through the countr}?", except 
as I have been sent on scouts by my commanding 
officer." 

" I '11 scout you, d — n you ! I '11 scalp you ! What's 
the names of the men that belong to your band ? " 

"I havn't 2:ot anv band." 

"What's the names of the men that were out 
with you ? " 

I then gave him a list of the men that accom- 
panied me, and was then ordered to be put in the 
guard-house. The court-room of the court-house 
was used- as, a guard-house. The Provost-marshal's 
office was in one of the lower rooms of the court 
house. 

The Provost-marshal had all the men that had 
been with me arrested, and when he had got us all 
together in the guard-house, we were marched, under 
guard, into his office. Addressing us, he said : 

" There has been a great deal of stealing and 
robbing going on in the country about here, lately, 
and I believe that you are the men that have done 
it, and I mean to make an example of j'^ou, and I 
shall use my utmost endeavors to have every man of 
you shot.^^ 

"What have we done," I inquired, "that you 
should have such an awful antipathy against us ? " 



166 FOUR TEARS 

"You will see when I make out my charges and 
specifications. Guards, take them back to the guard- 
house." 

When back in the guard-house, and left to re- 
flection, the words, '■^ I shall use my utmost endeavors 
to have you shot,^^ seemed to force themselves upon 
my mind with vivid impression. What could it 
mean, that an officer in the United States army 
should express himself so emphatically, as com- 
mitted against us, when justice e Very- where holds 
a man to be innocent until he is ])roved to be 
guilty. 

While I had been in camp getting my dinner, the 
Provost-marshal had released Mr. Perry, and had 
administered to him the oath of allegiance, and re- 
turned to him the property that we had taken. On 
being released, Mr. Perry found Doctor Russel, 
Parson Hamers, and Mr. Lawhorn — who happened to 
be in town at the time — and, in company with them, 
went to the Provost-marshal, (who tolerated their 
complaints,) and fabricated such statements as they 
chose to make against us, and upon those statements 
the Provost-marshal based his charges and caused 
our arrest. 

It was humiliating in the extreme, for us, after 
having served our country with devoted patriotism, 
and imperiled our lives for its preservation, to be 
thus made the victims of revenge by those whom we 
kne„w were at enmity with the Grovernment. 

Two days after our imprisonment, we received a 
copy of the charges against us, of which the follow- 
ing is an exact copy: 



/ A SCOUT AND SPY. 167 

"CHARGES AGAINST CORPORAL RUGGLES, AND TEN 
OTHERS, OF THE 20TH OHIO INFANTRY. 

" Charge. — Indiscriminate plundering and pillaging of citizens 
in the country. 

"Specification First. — That Corporal L. Rugglcs, Corporal D. 
W. Huxley, Sergeants W. G. Downs and Thomas J. Watson, and pri- 
vates John Lawrence, Jacob W. Snook, H. Chryst, S. Rosebaum, 
Granville Cassedy, John Sessler, and B. F. Wannamaker, did, on 
or about the 14th day of October, 1862, enter the house of one 
W. S. Perry and break the locks of two trunks, and take from 
them W. S. Perry's clothes; also, the clothing of his children, some 
finger-rings, some jaconet cloth for children's clothes, and rum- 
maged through every part and portion of the house; also taking 
two mules, one horse and one saddle, and one double-barreled shot- 
gun, both tubes being broken. 

" Specification Second. — ^That Corporal L. Ruggles, and ten 
others, named in specification first, did, on or about the 14th day 
of October, 18G2, enter the house of one Mrs. Tabitha Perry, took 
from her possession two bed-quilts, oue sheet, a pair of pillows, 
and a bolster ; also, one mule. 

" Specification Third. — That Corporal L. Ruggles, and ten 
others, named in specification first, did enter the house of Mr. 
Lawhorn, break the door of the ladies' wardrobe, searched through 
the whole house, brandishing their jiistols. Mrs. Milliken en- 
deavoring to save her property, they threatened to shoot her, and 
used insultiniji; and threatening; lan2;ua";e to the same ; also, takinsr 
the milk in the house, prepared for sick and wounded Federal 
soldiers at Dunlap's Springs, of which they were notified. 

" Specification Fourth. — That Corporal L. Ruggles, and ten 
others, named in specification first, did, on or about the 14th day 
of October, 1862, at the farm-house of W. S. Daugherty, enter 
his outhouse, and take therefrom three saddles and three bridles, 
threatening to take said Daugherty's life in case of his interfering. 

"Specification Fifth. — That Corporal L. Ruggles, and ten 
others, named in specification first, approached the house of B. 
N. Hendricks, at which place Mrs. Goforth was staying, and de- 
manded their dinner, fri'rhteuin"; Mrs. Goforth to such an extent 



168 FOUR YEARS 

as to cause a miscarriage, after being enceinte seven months, her 
life placed in a very dangerous condition. 

" Specification Sixth. — That Corporal L. Ruggles did forcibly 
take a pair of gloves from W. S. Perry and wear them to town. 
That Sergeant T. J. Watson did take from W. S. Perry's trunk 
one razor-strop and shaving-box. That Private B. F. Wannamaker 
did take from same one pair of men's shoes. 

" All the above charges being calculated to destroy the good 
character of our army and soldiery, being contrary to the laws of 
war and army regulations, demoralizing in their tendency, I sub- 
mit them. W. S. Dewey, 

'■'■• Provost-viarshal 4:th Dio., Bolivar, Tenn. 

"The witnesses are as follows: Doctor Tanzy Russel, Parson 
Hamers, W. S. Perry, Mr. Lawhorn, W. S. Daugherty. 

" Specification Seventh. — That Corporal L. Ruggles did, 
after being entertained gentlemanly for the night by Parson 
Hamers, take said Hamers' watch, which hung on the mantel- 
board." 

This last specification occurred in the original in 
the same order in which it is here placed. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 169 



CHAPTER XV. 

Unfortunate state of affairs — Informality of charge and specifica- 
tions — Assistance of friends — Fails to get a trial — Gloomy 
prospects — Evidence accumulates — Gruard-house incident — The 
"General" concludes to help himself — Narrow escape from 
guerrillas — The capture — Reaches his regiment — Himself and 
squad released. 

The reader will remember that I once arrested 
Parson Hamers, while standing picket for the enemy, 
and released him. Doctor Riissel, I had learned 
from reliable sources, had been engaged in contra- 
band trade between Federal soldiers and guerrillas. 
Mr, Lawhorn had tried to induce one of the men 
under arrest with me to desert, and, to prevent sus- 
picion of desertion, offered to carry him in his own 
carriage to a rebel paroling officer, and get him pa- 
roled and bring him back. Perry had been cap- 
tured on suspicion of being a guerrilla. Such were 
the men that were allowed to make statements 
against me. 

It is easy to conceive how such men would con- 
nive together for the injury of Federal soldiers, if 
they could only get the military authorities to tol- 
erate their complaints and give them a hearing. 
Under such a state of aff*airs, it would be an easy 



170 FOUR TEARS 

matter for any disloyal citizen to cause the imprison- 
ment of any soldier, however spotless his record. 

When men are mean enough to attempt the de- 
struction of the fairest and the best Government that 
ever existed, and to insult that national emblem 
which has called forth the honor and respect of the 
world, it is no wonder that they should resort to 
falsehood, or any other dirty means, to work their 
revenge upon those that love and fight for their 
country. 

It was extremely unfortunate for us that we were 
thus imprisoned during the command of a temporary 
post-commander, to whom I was an entire stranger, 
and that, too, at a time when a new and extensive 
campaign was about to commence. 

The charge and specifications, as preferred against 
us, were very informal, and it is doubtful whether any 
court-martial would have attempted a trial based on 
such informalities. But, nevertheless, there w^re 
grounds for our arrest and confinement. 

About two weeks after our arrest, a general court- 
martial convened, and our friends used every exer- 
tion in their power to have our trial come on, but 
did not succeed. Soon afterward the principal part 
of the forces stationed at Bolivar moved to Lagrange, 
Tenn., to which place we soon followed them. A 
second and a third court-martial was convened at 
Lagrange, and still we failed to get a trial. 

On the 28th day of November, the Army of the 
Tennessee commenced to move from Lagrange, on its 
campaign into the State of Mississippi, and with it 
was crushed all hope of our immediate trial. With 



• A SCOUT AND SPY. 171 

the movement of the army, the court-martial had 
been dismissed, and our witnesses, friends, and coun- 
sel scattered beyond a probability of rendering us 
any assistance for a long time ; and, to make the 
matter still w/ore unpleasant, we were confined in a 
dirty, filthy building, extremely loathsome and un- 
healthy, and too small for the number of men con- 
fined. 

During our confinement, up to the time the army 
moved, evidence continued to accumulate in our 
favor. The list of guerrillas that I had given to the 
Provost-marshal, he had destroyed the same day 
that it was handed to him. During our confinement, 
W. S. Perry, and all the persons named in the list 
that I gave to him, were captured by a detachment 
of the 7th Kansas Cavalry and sent North as guer- 
rillas, showing conclusively that I had not been mis- 
taken in supposing them such. In taking their 
property, under the circumstances that I found it, 1 
did no more than any detachment of troops would 
have done under the same instructions. 

The property found at W. S. Perry's was evidently 
plunder that had been seized by himself and band. 
Very much of the specifications against us were 
grossly false. What property we did take, I was 
making arrangements to turn over to the Quarter- 
master when I was arrested, showing conclusively 
that I did not take it for my personal benefit. 

The lady that we were charged with having fright- 
ened not one of us had ever seen; neither had we 
ever been nearer than three-quarters of a mile of 
Mr. Hendrick's house. Mrs. C visited us twice 



172 ' FOUE TEARS '* 

while we were confined at Bolivar, and spoke very 
complimentary of* our behavior while at her house, 
and assured us that we need not feel at all uneasy 
about the charge of frightening Mrs. Goforth, because 
that it could easily be proven that " her Jmsharid ivas 
in the rehel army, and had not been home for more 
than a year 1^'' Doctor Russel was the man that 
trumped up the charges about Mrs. Goforth. A sol- 
dier by the name of William Goodhart, of the 20th 
Ohio Regiment, visited Dr. Russel, one day, and, in 
the course of conversation, remarked, " Doctor, you 
have got some of the Yankee soldiers in rather a 
tight place, hav'n't you?" 

"Yes, I have had some of them shut uj) awhile." 

" Well, it will be a|3t to go pretty hard with them, 
won't it?" 

" jSTo, I think not. I do n't expect to prove any 
thing against them. They will probably get clear in 
the end ; but it will keep Buggies from running all 
over the country and representing himself as a citi- 
zen of the State of Tennessee. 

Parson Hamers, in specification seventh, accuses me 
of stealing his watch, but neglects to fix the date of 
theft. He afterward fixed the date as the 30th of 
September. My company commander was able to 
show that I was in camp on the 29th and 30th of 
September and on the 1st of October. In a conver- 
sation with Parson Hamers, had in the presence of 
Sergeant E. W. Quackenbush, of the 20th Ohio Regi- 
ment, a few days before I was arrested, he spoke of 
having had his watch stolen, and said that he was 
so sick at the time that he did not know who took it. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 173 

During our confinement we were under the custody 
of four different Provost-marslials. As a general 
tiling, we met with kind treatment from those that 
were guarding us, and oftentimes, through the kind- 
ness of officers and men, we received favors not 
usually given to soldiers under arrest. There were 
a few exceptions to our kind treatment, and I will 
narrate an incident illustrative of it : 

The whole number of prisoners confined in the 
guard-house at the time I allude to, including my 
own squad, was forty-three, and we all occupied the 
same room. Among the prisoners confined with us 
was a very young soldier — a mere boy — by the name 

of Greorge S , of the 18th Ohio. He had been in 

confinement much longer than myself and squad, 
and was noted ^ for being decidedly a "hard case." 
His recklessness sometimes caused restrictions to be 
placed upon all confined, thereby causing the inno- 
cent to suffer for the guilty. 

One night, George took a rail from off the banis- 
ters that surrounded the stairway and placed it from 
the portico in front of the court-house into a tree that 
stood close by, and, by that means, got out of the 
guard-house, unobserved by the guard, and spent the 
evening in town. On his return, he neglected to take 
the rail away. In the morning the officer of the guard 
discovered it, and concluded correctly what it had 
been placed there for. He commenced an inquiry 
of the prisoners to find out who put it there. None 
of the boys would acknowledge having done it. 
Several told him that they supposed George had done- 
it. George denied it, and nobody had seen him do it. 



I 



174 FOUR YEARS 

The officer would not take suppositions as to who 
did it, but told us that he should hold us all respon- 
sible for a correct report of who did it, and would 
give us till roll-call at night to find out ; and at that 
time, if we did not report, we should all live on 
nothing but bread and water until we did. 

We told hiin that we had already said all that 
we knew about it, and that we did not feel like sub- 
mitting to punishment as a body for the acts of 
an individual. Roll-call came, but nobody was able 
to report. We were then told by the officer that we 
should have nothing but bread and water until we 
reported who did it. 

During the night, the boys took several pocket- 
handkerchiefs and made a black flag, about three 
feet square, and fastened it to a long strip of mold- 
ing, which they tore off from the wood-work of the 
room, and hoisted it upon the top of the court-house 
cupola. In the morning it attracted every body's 
attention, by its disgusting appearance, as it floated 
from the most conspicuous place in town. It created 
universal indignation throughout the town. 

The officer of the guard came up and ordered us 
to take it down. We replied that as long as we had 
to subsist upon bread and water, it was the flag that 
we rallied under. He then ordered the guards to 
make us remove it. As they w^ere attempting to 
come up the stairs, Greorge, who had armed himself 
with an armful of bricks from the fire-place in the 
room, opened fire upon them from the head of the 
•stairs, which made them beat a hasty retreat, and 
the officer could not induce them to renew the at- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 175 

tempt. In about half an hour, a detail came, armed, 
not with guns and bayonets, but with mess-pans and 
kettles, filled with soft hread, beefsteak, and coffee. It 
is needless to add, the "additional I'einforcements " 
compelled us to " surrender " and take down the flag. 
As long as we remained in charge of that officer, we 
continued to receive an abundance of good, whole- 
some rations. 

During our confinement in the guard-house at 
Bolivar, quite a number of rebel soldiers, that had 
been captured by the Federal cavalry, were tem- 
porarily confined with us. Several of them were 
men that belonged to the 2d Arkansas Cavalry, and 
I had become acquainted with them during the time 
that I was with that regiment. 

On the 3d day of December, 1862, five days after 
the army had advanced from Lagrange, I came to 
the' conclusion that I had been confined long enough, 
and that my only way of getting myself and men re- 
leased, without delay, would be to visit in person my 
commanding officers, and lay the case before them. 
One inducement that I had was, I had learned that 
there were no papers in the hands of the Provost- 
marshal with charges against us. They had either 
become lost, or, what is more probable, were returned 
to the officer that preferred them, on account of in- 
formalities. In the absence of such papers, I felt 
convinced that I could get an order for the release 
of myself and men. It was an unmilitary way of 
doing business, but, nevertheless, I resolved to leave 
the guard-house, without authority, to ohtaiii authority 
for my release ami that of my men. 



176 FOUR YEARS 

We had been in confinement ^/"^^j/ days, and before 
I could reach the army it would be more than a 
hundred miles from Lagrange. It was a great un- 
dertaking to leave the guard-house without authority, 
and, without rations, to run a gauntlet of that dis- 
tance, through Federal pickets and railroad guards, 
stationed at frequent intervals along the whole route, 
every one of v/hom would halt me to examine my 
pass, or would turn me back if without one. 

Sergeant T. J. Watson volunteered to go with me. 
How we got out of the guard-house it is not neces- 
sary for me to mention. From Lagrange we took a 
south-east course, across the country toward Davis' 
Mills ; we struck the railroad where the wagon road 
crosses it. There we found some pickets, belonging 
to a detachment of five companies stationed at Davis' 
Mills, under command of a ISIajor, and charged with 
guarding a portion of the railroad. At the time we 
approached them, they were all, except the sentr}'', 
engaged in cooking a part of a fat porker that they 
had confiscated during the night. We halted tand 
entered into conversation with the boys, as though 
we had no intention of going on. Having finished 
their cooking, they asked us to eat with them, which 
we -were no way backward about doing. We fin- 
ished our breakfast, and were about starting on, 
when the sentry, who had been more attentive to 
duty than we had hoped, asked us if we had passes. 
I told him we had not, and that we were on our 
way to the front, and had not been asked for passes 
before, and did not know as it was necessary to have 
them. With that explanation, the sergeant of the 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 177 

guard let us pass, but told us that it would not do 
to let the Captain in command see us. 

Not liking to run our chances with him, we crossed 
the railroad and left it to our right, and crossed 
Davis Creek on a log, and, a short distance from the 
creek, turned to our right, so as to reach the bridge 
across Wolf River, near Davis' Mills. As we were 
passing through the cleared field, I discovered to 
my left, on a rise of ground, a squad of guerrillas, 
mounted on horses. We were within easy shot 
of them. We were then within half a mile of 
the detachment camped at Davis' Mills ; they 
probably did not wish to alarm the Federal pick- 
ets. They had evidently discovered us first, and 
were watching for an oj'jportunity to "gobble us 
up." 

" Tom," said I to the Sergeant, " whcxt kind of sol- 
diers do you call them ?" 

" What kind are they. Bunker ?" 

" They are a band of guerrillas, and they will have 
us in less than a minute, if we do n't get away from 
here." 

Just then the guerrillas started for us. 

"Come on. Bunker; for God's sake, let us run!" 
said Tom. " They are coming now !" 

Turning square to the right, away wo went, as 
hard as we could run, toward Davis Creek. A hun- 
dred and fifty yards brought us to a dense growth 
of brush and briars, so thick as to seem impene- 
trable. There was no getting around it, for our pur- 
suers were close upon us. With all the strength we 
could muster, we sprang into that briar patch and 
12 



178 ' FOUR TEARS 

scrambled through. It was no time to mind scratches, 
and so we dashed on to the creek. Our pursuers 
could not get their horses through the briars, and 
before they could get round them, we were across 
the creek. We made our way to Davis' cotton- 
gin, where we found a picket post. A few paces 
from the post, the guerrillas were in sight. I 
showed them to the pickets, and told them I would 
go and report the guerrillas to the Major in com- 
mand. 

Having found the Major, ,1 said : " Major, there 
are about thirty guerrillas just across Davis Creek, 
not half a mile from here, and if you will get 
out your men, you can surround them and capture 
them." 

"Who are you?" he inquired. 

" I am a scout for the Government." 

"Where are you from?" 

"Why, I am right from the guerrillas," said I, 
getting out of patience ; "they have just chased me 
through a briar patch. Look at my hands and 
face, if you want any evidence of it. You can see 
the guerrillas from the cotton-gin." 

"Who is that man w^ith you?" 

"Which is of the most importance. Major: for 
me to sit down and tell you my history, or for 
you to get out your men and capture those guer- 
rillas?" 

By this time the pickets had become alarmed, 
and sent in for support. The long roll began to 
beat, and every thing was excitement. Then was 
my time to get away. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 179 

"Come on, Tom," said I to the Sergeant; "we 
must pass the pickets at Wolf River bridge during 
the confusion incident to this alarm, or we will not 
get away from here without trouble." 

As I had expected, the confusion enabled us to 
get by the pickets at the bridge. We continued 
on until abojLit 7 o'clock in the evening, when we 
were halted by a railroad guard. The guard allowed 
us to come up, and we stayed at the post all night. 
Before we went to sleep, a messenger came along on 
a hand-car, with orders to double the guards during 
the night, for an attack on the railroad was intended, 
and that thirty guerrillas had already been captured 
at Davis' Mills, and that more were supposed to be 
in the vicinity. 

At daylight I tried my persuasive influence upon 
the guards, and succeeded in getting leave to pass. 
From that on we had very little difficulty in passing 
the guards. When we had gone about half a mile, 
we met six rebel soldiers, of the 8th Kentucky 
Regiment, on their way to give themselves up. They 
had become tired of the rebellion, and were anxious 
to return to their homes. From them I learned 
that a raid upon Holly Springs was in contemplation 
by the forces of Grenerals Van Dorn and Tighlman. 
The rebel deserters were so candid in their state- 
ments that I deemed them reliable; and when we 
reached Waterford, where General Ross' division 
was encamped, I called at his head-quarters, to re- 
port what I had learned. Greneral Ross was absent, 
so I reported to the Adjutant-General. We then 
resumed our journey, and in five days from the time 



180 FOUR TEARS 

we left Lagrange, we reached our regiment, then at 
Oxford, Miss. 

I immediately reported to Colonel Force, who 
inquired if I had been released from the guard- 
house. 

I said, " No, sir ; we ran away." 

"Well, Bunker, I am sorry to say it: I can't 
harbor you in my regiment." 

" I suppose, then. Colonel, that the best thing that 
we can do is to get away from here; a'n't it?" 

"Well, I don't know but it is." 

I then left him, and went to General Leggett, 
commanding the brigade, and told him the situation 
of affairs. He told me that we need not go back to 
the guard-house, and that we might stay with the 
regiment. I told him that I did not wish to stay, 
unless the men of my squad were released. He 
assured me that the}^ should be, and immediately 
went in person to Major-Greneral McPherson and 
explained the situation of affairs to him. He issued 
an order releasing the whole of us. When the order 
reached the men in the guard-house, they had been 
in confinement fifty-eight days. They reached the 
regiment when it was encamped about three miles 
south of the Yacona River. 

During our confinement, very much interest and 
sympathy was manifested for us by both officers and 
men, and many of them rendered us valuable as- 
sistance. To General M. D. Leggett and Colonel 
M. F. Force, and to Captains F. M. Shaklee, E. C. 
Downs, and B. A. F. Greer, of the 20th Ohio, we are 
under very great obligations ; and to the officers 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 181 

and men of the 78th Ohio and the 17th Illinois 
Regiments, who guarded us during the greater part 
of our confinement, I will here take the oppor- 
tunity to express, in behalf of myself and squad, 
sincere and heart-felt thanks for their kindness and 
assistance. 



182 FOUR YEARS 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Starts for Grenada — Instructions — Is captured — Returns to Water 
Valley — Starts again — Arrives at Grenada — Condition of Price's 
army — He returns — Again sent to Grenada — Proposes some 
fun — Plan of strategy — Plan unnecessary — Returns with rebel 
cavalry — Bivouac at Big Springs — The attack — More fun than 
bargained for — The result. 

Soon after I joined my regiment, the army ad- 
vanced to the Yacona River, and the brigade to 
which I belonged was made the advanced post of 
infantry, and was stationed three miles south of the 
river. I had been with the brigade but a few days, 
when General Leggett requested me to make a trip 
to Grenada, a distance of thirty-two miles. 

As General Grant's army had advanced, General 
Price's army had been forced back, and the movements 
of the Federal forces had been so skillfully managed 
as to cause Price, after evacuating his strong position 
at the Tallahatchie River, to make a hasty and 
rapid retreat to Grenada, which place he then occu- 
pied. 

General Leggett wanted me to find out the strength 
and condition of Price's army ; of what his force 
consisted, and, if possible, what were his intended 
movements. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 183 

I started out on foot, disguised like a rebel soldier, 
with a pass to Colonel Lee (since Brigadier-General), 
of the 7tli Kansas Cavalry, stationed five miles in 
advance of the infantry, at a railroad station called 
Water Valley. I carried with me a request to 
Colonel Lee that he would pass me through his 
lines, if it would not interfere with his arrangements. 
The Colonel detained me over night, and then passed 
me through. 

I went on through Cofferville, and to within a 
mile of Grenada, without being molested. Not liking 
to venture in on the direct road from Water Valley, 
I turned to my left when within a mile of the place, 
calculating to enter the town on some other road. I 
had proceeded but a short distance, when I met 
three soldiers, dressed exactly like rebel soldiers, who 
captured me and made me turn back. 

When we came back to the Water Valley road, I 
was surprised to find that I was being taken toward 
Water Valley instead of Grenada. I then found 
that I had been captured by soldiers belonging to 
the 1th Kansas Cavalry. I tried to make them be- 
lieve that I was a Federal soldier, and was scouting 
for the Government, but it was of no avail; they 
were not to be jjersuaded out of their prisoner. 

We had traveled but a few hundred yards after 
taking the Water Valley road, when we met a ne- 
gro, who was riding a splendid mule, with a nice 
saddle, bridle, and spurs, and was carrying on the 
mule, in front of him, a sack of corn-meal. 

"Halt, you black devil ! " said one of the soldiers. 
" Get off from that mule and let white folks ride ! " 



18-4 FOUR YEARS 

The neoTo dismounted and turned over liis estab- 
lisliment to me, and then, shouhlering his nieul, he 
resumed liis way. I mounted the mule with a some- 
what lighter heart than I had had at the prospect of 
walking all the way back. 

When we arrived at Water Valley, I wns taken 
to Colonel Lee, who, on inquiring of the soldiers 
where they caught me, elicited the fact that they 
had ran aicay from camp ami gone to Grenada without 
leave. 

" Go to your quarters, men," said the Colonel ; 
" I '11 take care of your 'prisoner 7ioiv, and take care 
of you in the niorninff.^^ 

The next morning I started again for Grenada, 
mounted on the mule taken from the negro the night 
before, with a letter to Captain Townsend, who had 
been sent to the vicinity of Cofferville, during the 
night, with a detachment of cavalry, requesting him, 
if admissible, to pass me on. On re})orting to ihe 
Captain, he informed me that lie had men deployed 
all through the country about Cofferville, w.itching 
for rebel scouts and stragglers, and that it would be 
hazardous for me to undertake to get throngli, and 
advised me to remain with him until his men came 
in bef )re attempting to go on. 

It was so late in the afternoon when the c.ivalry 
came in that I concluded to remain with the Caprain 
all night. In the morning I resumed my Journey, 
and at 1 o'clock, P. M., without having experienced 
any difficulty in passing the rebel pickets, 1 entered 
Grenada. 

The first thing that attracted my attention, was 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 185 

the suifering and destitute condition of the infantry 
and artiriery soldiers. Very many of them were 
lame and foot-sore. Hundreds of them were bare- 
footed, and very many of them were bjire-headed, 
and all of them more or less ragged and destitute 
of blankets. Sickness prevailed to a great extent. 
The soldiers were loud in pronouncing curses Ujton 
General Sherman, whom they represented as having 
brought on much of their suffering by attempting 
to execute a flank movement upon them while in 
their intrenchments at the Tallahatchie Ri\er, which 
caused them to make a precipitate retreat to Grenada. 

A Sergeant, in describing to me the retreat, said : 
" So closely were we pressed, that while camping 
at Water Valley for the night, after a hard day's 
march, we undertook to get some breakfast before 
resuming our march in the morning, and had hardly 
commenced when the Yankees commenced shelling 
us, and we had to leave. We then marched to the 
vicinity of Grenada, and there worked several hours 
at cutting down -timber and forming abatti?«, to pro- 
tect us from the Yankee cavalry, before resting long- 
enough, to get any thing to eat." 

From such hardships and exposures, and the pre- 
vailing destitution of clothing at the worst season of 
the year, the men had become sick and disheartened. 
Artillery horses were in as bad a condition as the 
men, having been worked and short-fed until nearly 
•starved. Large numbers of sick, lame, and foot-sore 
men were being sent on the cars to Jackson, Miss. 
The heavy artillery and commissary stores were 
ulso being sent there. Every thing indicated to 



186 FOUR YEARS 

me that Greneral Price did not expect to hold the 
place. 

As near as I could learn, General Price had had 
at the Tallahatchie 18,000 men ; but the force then 
in Grenada did not exceed 12,000. What cavalry 
troops there were in the place seemed to be much 
better clad and in better spirits than the infantry or 
artillery. 

I remained in Grenada two nights, and then 
started back. I took the road that leads to Pon- 
totoc. I came out, and had proceeded but a short 
distance, when I was overtaken by three regiments 
of rebel cavalry. As they came up, I fell in with 
them and accompanied them. In conversation with 
one of the Captains, he told me that " they were on 
their way to assist General Van Dorn to make a raid 
upon Holly Springs and the railroad, to cut oif the 
Yankee supplies." He expressed himself as very 
confident of success, and remarked that " if we can't 
whip the Yankees by force of arms, we can by star- 
vation." 

About twelve miles from Grenada, we came to a 
large plantation, owned by a wealthy planter by the 
name of Leggett. Mr. Leggett had evidently ex- 
pected the cavalry along, and had caused to be pre- 
pared a large wagon-box of corn cakes, of about a 
pound and a half weight each, and a large quan- 
tity of fresh beef, cooked and cut up into pieces of 
about a pound each. As we passed, two large ne- 
groes handed each man a cake and a piece of meat. 
I received a share the same as the cavalry. 

I continued on in company with the cavalry until 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 187 

about the middle 'of the afternoon, when I concluded 
I had gone far enough on that road. I then dashed 
on ahead of the cavalry to a piece of woodland, 
where I dismounted and sat down, as if to rest my- 
self, and remained there until the cavalry had all 
passed on out of sight. I then mounted, and started 
across the country toward Water Valley. A few 
minutes travel brought me into a road that led di- 
rect to the place. 

When I arrived at the picket lines, the guards ar- 
rested me and took me to the Qolonel of the 3d 
Michigan Cavalry, who sent me to Colonel Lee. I 
reported to him the three regiments of cavalry that 
I had accompanied out, and he immediately started 
in pursuit of them. I learned afterward that the 
chase was kept up to the Rocky Ford, on the Talla- 
hatchie River. On reporting to General Leggett, 
he expressed himself well pleased with the result of 
my trip, and requested me to make another to the 
same place, which I accordingly undertook to do. 

Early the next morning I was again on my way 
to Grenada, mounted on a mule, and disguised as 
before. At Water Valley I found the 3d Michigan 
Cavalry still encamped, and called upon the Col- 
onel, whose name I have forgotten. I told him that 
I was going into Grenada, and that if he wanted a 
little fun, I would decoy out a regiment of rebel cav- 
alry to a place within twelve miles of him, on the 
Pontotoc road, known as the Big Spring. The 
spring, from its distance from Grenada and the 
abundance of water- that it afforded, and the excel- 
lent ground about it for camping purposes, made a 



188 FOUR YEARS 

fine natural place for troops passing out from Gre- 
nada to halt for the night. 

I told the Colonel that I'would go into Grenada 
and see what cavalry was in there, and select the 
regiment that I wanted ; and then I would go to 
General Price and tell him that I knew of three 
companies of Lincoln cavalry, camped near the Pon- 
totoc road, a long distance from support, watching to 
pick up " our " couriers and small parties that hap- 
pened to pass that way, and if he would let that regi- 
ment go, I would guide it so that it could surround 
the Lincolnites and capture the last one of them. I 
also told the Colonel that he could take his regiment 
over to the place the next night, and then, early next' 
morning, crawl close u[) to the rebels, and sud- 
denly rise up and pour in five volleys into them, in 
quick succession, from their five-shooting carbines 
(the regiment was armed with five-shooters), which 
would so surprise and terrify them that they would 
break and run without stopping for guns, horses, or 
any' thing else, and that he would be able to capture 
the most of their arms and horses, and \ ery many 
of the men. 

The Colonel seemed pleased w'ith my ])roposals, 
and promised to have his regiment there in time. I 
had no doubts whatever about my ability to decoy a 
regiment out there, but I was not so sure that the 
Colonel had confidence enough in me to keep his 
promise. With the understanding, however, that I 
was to return the next day with a regiment of cavalr}'', 
I resumed my journey. 

I halted for the night a short distance out from 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 189 

Grenada, and early the next morning I started in. 
At the bridire across the YaHabusha River, about 
half a mile from town, I came to the rebel pickets. 
They manifested some hesitation about passing me, 
and asked me various questions about where I lived 
and what I wanted to go in for, etc. While they were 
questioning me, a regiment of cavalry made its ap- 
pearance, coming out. I did not press the pickets 
to pass me, but remained in conversation with them 
until the cavalr}'' came out, and then fell in and went 
along with them. 

My prospects now seemed bright. The regiment 
coming out would answer my purpose, provided it 
went far enough, and had saved me the trouble of 
carrying out my strategy. I soon found out that it 
was a Texas regiment, and, like the three regiments 
I had accompanied on a former trip, they were on 
their way to report to General Van Dorn. Having 
found that out, I felt almost sure that they would 
halt for the night at the desired place. 

The sun was about an hour high when we arrived 
at the Big Spring, and my anxiety was considerably 
relieved by the regiment coming to a halt. Prepa- 
rations were made for the night — horses fed, supper 
prepared, and a picket thrown out on the road to 
Water Valjey, but on no other. 

Long before daylight in the morning, the men were 
up feeding their horses and preparing breakfast for 
an early start. At the approach of daylight, the pick- 
ets were drawn in. My anxiety for the appearance 
of the Federal cavalry now became intense. Not 
a movement could I see that indicated their approach. 



190 FOUR TEARS 

!N'ot a suspicion had yet been excited among my 
grayback companions. How I longed to hear the 
crack of those revolving carbines ! 

Breakfast was now ready, and all fell to work at 
it with a hearty relish. I took some in my hands, 
and seated myself near a large oak tree, and began 
to eat, wondering whether the Colonel really would 
come. The moments seemed unusually long, and, 
as I occasionally glanced my eyes toward the place 
where I had hoped the cavalry w^ould make its ap- 
pearance, all was quiet. I had come to the conclu- 
sion that the Colonel had failed to fulfill his promise, 
when. Bang! bang! crash! crash! went the carbines 
in a perfect roar of musketry, and the air was filled 
with whizzing bullets. I instantly sprang behind 
the oak tree and stood there. So sudden had been 
the attack, that, although I had been looking for it, 
a volley was fired before I was aware of the ap- 
proach of the regiment. The leaden messengers came 
in much greater profusion and closer proximity to 
my person than I ever want them again. But such 
a panic, such confusion, such running, such scram- 
bling was never seen before! It was beyond de- 
scription. Some fled without horses or arms ; some 
cut the halters of their horses and mounted without 
arms or saddles — all were terribly frightened. 

Myself and sixty others were captured, and as 
many horses and twice as many saddles and arms, 
with their accouterments. Eight men were killed, and 
several horses and quite a number gf men were 
wounded. The rebs fired but a very few scattering 
shots, and not a man of the Federals was injured. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 191 

It was a brilliant success, but for a few minutes 
rather serious fun. The Colonel played his part with 
admirable ability. After the stores were gathered 
up, I was released, and we returned to camp. Dur- 
ing my absence, the brigade to which I belonged had 
advanced to Water Valley, at which place I found it. 



192 FOUR YEARS 



CHAPTER XYII. 

The forage party — liunaways — Daring scout — Narrow escape — The 
line of battle — Safe return — Scout reports — Assumes the char- 
acter of a rebel prisoner — Finds a frieud — How he introduced 
himself — Where he belongs — The burning of Holly Springs-— 
The heroine — What she captured — Shows partiality — Oifers as- 
sistance — Rebel doctor executed. 

When the army fell back behind the Talhihatchie 
River, General Leggett's brigade remained at Abbe- 
ville, as advanced outpost of the army. It was while 
we were there on outpost duty, that the troops ex- 
perienced the inconvenience of short rations, caused 
by Greneral Van Dorn's cavalry raid into Holly 
Springs. While the scarcity of rations prevailed, 
the troops were under the necessity of frequently 
sending out foraging expeditions to obtain assistance 
for both men and animals. 

On one occasion, an expedition was sent out to the 
east of Abbeville after forage. After it had been 
gone a short time, I took a notion that I would go; 
so I mounted my mule and started out. Soon after 
passing the pickets, I overtook two men, who, I 
found, had run away from cjimp, and, by representing 
to the pickets that they belonged to the detail guard- 
ing the train, had succeeded in passing. They were 
going out on their '' own hooks " to forage a fat sheep. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 193 

About a mile from the pickets, the road forked ; 
the left-hand road, or main road, led straight ahead 
to the east, and the right-hand road led to the south- 
east. The forage party had taken the left-hand road ; 
the runaways took the right-hand road, and I fol- 
lowed them out a piece to see what I could lind. 
About a mile from the forks, both roads pass through 
a belt of timber-land, several hundred yards in 
width, and then emerge into an open space of coun- 
ti-y, inclosed in fields. After passing through the 
timber, we halted and mounted the fence to look for 
the forage party on the other road. They had halted 
at a plantation-house, and were engaged in loading 
the train. While on the fence, the two runaways 
espied some fat sheep in the field near by us. They 
immediately gave chase, and I remained on the fence 
to watch the forage party. We had been discovered 
by the forage party while on the fence, and directly 
a man was seen dashing across the fields toward us, 
on horseback, to reconnoiter. In the brigade was 
a chaplain, not very brave, who sometimes under- 
took to perform the duties of a scout. As the man 
on horseback approached, it proved to be the chap- 
lain scout. The field, on the side where we were, 
was covered with tall weeds, as high as a man's head, 
and for that reason the runaways did not see the 
chaplain until he was within fifty yards of them. The 
boys had not yet captured a sheep, but were trying 
to corner one, when they discovered him. 

" There comes our chaplain, as sure as h — 11 ! " 
said one. '' We must frighten him back, or we '11 
both be arrested for running away." 
13 



194 FOUR YEARS 

"I '11 stop him," said the other, aiming his piece. 
, " Snap ! " went the cap, but the gun did not go. 

"Are you going to slioot him? " said the first. 

"Yes, by Gr — d!" said the other. 

"Then I'll shoot," said the first. Bang! went 
his gun. 

That was too much for the chaplain ; he wheeled 
his horse about, and went flying back. The chaplain 
did not see the boys, but saw me on the fence, 
dressed in rebel uniform, and my mule hitched to 
the fence. As soon as he got back and reported, 
the men not engaged in loading the train were 
formed in line of battle, ready to repel an expected 
attack. 

The runaways succeeded in capturing a fine, nice 
sheep, and carried it on their shoulders back to the 
forks in the road, to wait for the train. There I 
left them, and joined the forage party, which I found 
drawn up in line of battle. 

When the train was loaded and ready to return, 
flankers were thrown out on each side of the road, 
and in that way, succeeded in reaching camp without 
the loss of a man. The runaways got into camp 
with their forage without being detected. 

I felt curious to know what »0Bfe of report the 
chaplain would make; so, on my return to camp, I 
immediately repaired to head-quarters and awaited 
his arrival. When he made his appearance, it was 
with a countenance indicating that something serious 
and impressive weighed upon his mind. 

"Has the forage party come in, chaplain?" said 
General Leggett, as he entered. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 106 

"Yes, we made out to get back." 

" Well, what luck did you have ? " 

" We had a very narrow escape, indeed." 

"Why so?" ^ 

*' Well, I '11 tell you ; we halted about four miles 
out, to load the train, and, while thus engaged, some 
rebels were seen about a mile distant, across the 
field, on the fence, watching our movements. I was 
sent to reconnoiter and find out about them, and 
when I had got within a short distance of them, I 
saw a long line of them dismounted, behind the 
fence. Several of them snapped their pieces at me, 
and one went off, and the ball came whizzing by my 
head. I wheeled my horse and ran back as fast as 
I could go. I tell you. General, it was sl providential 
escape for me! We then formed a line of battle, to 
repel any attack until the train was ready to start ; 
then we threw out flankers on each side of the road, 
and in that way we marched in, without being at- 
tacked." 

The joke was a serious one, but, inasmuch as 
nobody was hurt, I concluded not to expose the 
roguery of the runaways, or the bravery of the 
chaplain. 



While the army was on its march from the Tal- 
lahatchie to Lagrange, I had an amusing little 
adventure with a secesh lady. It was on the day 
that General Leggett's brigade left Holly Springs. 
I was riding along behind my regiment, in company 
with Levi Hood, of the 20th Ohio, when I observed. 



196 FOUR YEARS 

to the left of the road, and about half a mile back, 
a large, fine white house. I told Levi that, from the 
fine appearance of things about the house, I presumed 
we could get feed there for our mules; so we rode 
out to see. 

The house was built with a porch extending across 
its entire front. As we approached, we saw a Fed- 
eral guard standing on the porch, near the main 
entrance to the house, and two Federal officers, one 
of them a Captain and the other a Major. The 
officers were engaged in conversation with a lady 
belonging to the house. We halted in front of the 
steps leading on to the porch, when Levi, addressing 
the lady, said: "Madam, have you got any corn or 
fodder here?" 

• "Yes, I expect there is some out there," she re- 
plied, pointing to an outhouse ; " go out and get it. 
Take it all, if you can ; do n't leave any. I shall be 
glad when it is gone; then you won't bother me." 

We rode to the outhouse and procured what 
fodder we wanted, and, having fed our mules in a 
yard in front of the house, we repaired to the porch, 
where the officers and lady were still engaged in 
conversation. They were talking about the burning 
of Holly Springs, and as I came near, I heard the 
lady say : 

" If General Yan Dorn and General Price can't 
thrash you out of Mississippi, they can starve you 
out, or get you out in some way ; you are going out, 
anyhow y 

" Yes," said I, " that 's one of General Yan Dorn's 
capers ; he is just the man to do such tricks as that." 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 197 

The officers left as soon as I came up, and tke 
lady turned her conversation to me : 

*' Do you know General Van Dorn ? " 

" Yes, I know all of our Generals ; and I know 
you, too. 

"Where did you ever see me?" 

"A'n't you the lady that sent Colonel Slemmens 
the boquet last summer, when he was on outpost 
duty, with his regiment, at Cold Water?" 

*' Why, yes, I believe I was ; where was you ? " 

*''I was sent from Lumpkins' Mills, by General 
Villipique to Colonel Slemmens, with orders." 

"Where do you belong?" 

"I belong to the 17th Mississippi Zouaves, the 
pride of the Confederacy." 

"Wlio is the Colonel?" 

" Colonel Hanner." 

" Yes, yes ! that 's a fact ! I thought that you 
was fooling me, at first, but I do n't think you are 
now. How in the world did you come to be up 
here?" 

" I was captured near Grenada." 

*' You was ? That 's too bad ! Oh, tell me, have 
you received your new guns yet?" 

"Yes; we received them on the 18th day of last 
August." 

" They were so long coming, that I was afraid 
they never would get through the Federal lines. 
How do you like them?" 

" Very much, indeed. They are Colt's six-shooters, 
and are a most excellent gun." 

" Well, I am glad of it ; they ought to be a good 



:^8' FOUR TEARS 

gun, for they cost the Confederacy sixty dollars 
apiece. You are really a prisoner, then, are you?" 

"Yes." 

"Well, come into the house." 

" I would if I could ; but that man is my guard, 
and I do n't think he '11 let me." 

"Oh, no!" said Levi, "I can't; I am instructed 
not to let him go into any houses nor out of my 
sight." 

"Well, you can see him at the end of the porch ; 
let him go there. He won't run away. Come this 
way, soldier."" She led the way and I followed. 

"Now," said she, speaking low, "rfo tell me how 
the Yankees like the burning of Holly Springs." 

" Well, as near as I can find out, they hate it like 
blazes, and it makes some of them real heartsick." 

" Good ! I am glad of it ! I am getting back 
pay for my trouble now ! " 

"Did you help take the place?" 

" No, I did not help to take it, but I was chief 
of the signal corps, and signaled the town all night. 
I had nearly all the ladies of the town out, and had 
them watching the movements of the Yknkees. 
We sent up rockets, every hour, all night. I tell 
you, I felt so much relieved at the approach of Gen- 
eral Van Dorn, and when he captured the Yankees 
I was perfectly delighted ! Then I just went for things ! 
I had four mules and a yoke of steers and a cart in 
there, and I just loaded them down with stuff! I got 
a hundred overcoats, and lots of pants and blankets, 
and nice canvased hams, and other things, until I 
had the garret of my house stowed fulV^ 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 199 

"Did you do all that alone'^'' 

" Oh, no ! my husband, Captain McKisic, was 
there — he is captain of company A, of Bragg's 1st 
Battalion — and my servants were there, and they 
all helped. Oh, I really do wish that you could 
come into the house ! " 

" There is no use talking about that, for the guard 
wonH let me." 

"Well, I'll tell you," said she (casting her eyes 
at the man who was guarding her house, and speak- 
ing still lower); "I was suspicious that some of the 
Yankee soldiers might ransack my house and find 
out what stuff I had got, and so I went over to the 
Colonel of the — th Illinois Regiment and sung him 
a few songs of love, and he sent me over a guard, to 
keep the soldiers from going into my house." 

"You are all right, then, if you keep things to 
yourself." 

" I can do that, I assure you ; I have run with 
the army almost two years, and I have learned how 
to do that." 

" Come^ prisoner," said Levi, manifesting impa- 
tience ; " a'n't you getting about through with your 
conversation? " 

"Wait! wait a minute, if you please, guard," said 
the lady, and away she went into the house. She 
soon returned Avith a lot of apples, and commenced 
to stuff them into my pockets. " There, you eat 
them yourself^ Give the guard these three little ones; 
do n't give him any more ; eat those nice ones your- 
self. But, pray tell me, what is your situation for 
money ? " 



200 FOUR YEARS 

" I have got about five dollars." 

" Is that all ? Really, that a'n't enough ! Sha'n't 
I help you to some ? I am sure that you can't get 
along with that?" 

"No, I thank you; I can get along in some way." 

" I)o let me help you ; I have got three thousand 
dollars in the house, and I 'd just as leave help you 
as not. Bo take some." 

" No ; I won't take any. I might never return 
this way to repay it." 

" I should think that you might get away. Why 
do n't you get paroled, or run away from that 
guard ? " 

"I might, but, on account of a plan that I have 
got, I do n't want to get away-^yet." 

"Why, what is it?" 

"Weil, I '11 tell you. I want to go with Grant's 
army to Lagrange, and see which way it goes from 
there, and then I '11 come back and report it." 

"That's a good idea, certainly; get all the infor- 
mation that you can." 

*^ Prisoner !^^ called Levi, getting more impatient; 
"the mules are done eating and we must ^o.^" 

I then bade Mrs. McKisic good-by, and we re- 
lumed our march. On my return to the regiment, 
I related the incident to the Colonel, and he replied: 
" If the women are a mind to take advantage of the 
disgraceful surrender of Holly Springs, I do n't know 
as I have any objection." 

During the march of the army north-west, from 
its campaigns against Greneral Price, and when we 
were near the Tennessee line, thinking that an op- 



A SCOUT AND SPT. 201 

portunity might occur of retaliating upon a certain 
doctor living in the State of Tennessee, who had 
been instrumental in causing the arrest and impris- 
onment of myself and ten others, by false accusa- 
tions, I called upon General Grant and told him 
what we had sufl'ered by the doctor, and asked him 
if I might take the same men and go through the 
lines some night and kill him. 

The General said, " I can not give you leave to 
take a man's life, except under such circumstances 
as are warranted by the rules of war; if you wish 
to capture him, I '11 give you the countersign," 

The next evening a party of eleven men, without 
the countersign, went through the lines, unobserved, 
and repaired to the house of the said doctor. Stop- 
ping at a neighboring house, about a mile from the 
doctor's, was a Miss Armstrong, a sister of the Con- 
federate General Armstrong. I had paid some at- 
tention to her the summer before. When we came 
near where she lived, I said to the men, " I have 
an old acquaintance living about a mile from here 
tiiat I want to see. You go on and capture the 
doctor, and wait there until I come." I found the 
lady at home, and passed the evening with her very 
pleasantly. Before I was aware of it, two hours had 
passed. Recollecting my promise to meet the men 
at the doctor's, I bade the lady adieu and hastened 
on, fearing, perhaps, my long absence had caused 
them to return to camp without me. When I ar- 
rived, I found the men impatiently waiting for me. 
Seeing only my own number of men, I inquired: 
" Was the doctor at home ? " 



202 FOUR YEARS 

"Yes." 

"Where is he?" 

" This way, Bunker." (I followed to the far end 
of the yard.) " There he is." 

The reader can judge of my horror and surprise 
at the sight before me. There lay the trunk of the 
man in one place and the head in another, looking 
as if pulled asunder by fastening the neck to a tree 
and the feet to a span of mules. The mules were 
still fastened to the feet of the lifeless form. 

As much used to scenes of blooodshed and 
slaughter as I have been, and as much as I felt 
myself wronged by the ill-treatment of the doctor, 
the sight was revolting indeed. While I have no 
doubt but that the doctor would have rejoiced to 
have caused the death of myself and ten others, I 
am clear from ever having desired his death by acts 
of babarism and cruelty. I regret very much that 
Federal soldiers have ever felt constrained to resort 
to such acts of retaliation. 

It is a fact, however, in the prosecution of this 
war, that oftentimes the worst of traitors, after hav- 
ing been captured, have escaped the penalty of the 
law, and then, in their last state, have acted ^ven- 
fold worse than in the first. It is in consequence of 
such evasions of justice, that individuals have felt 
compelled to deal out punishment themselves. In 
the face of the cruelties that our men have suffered 
at the hands of the rebels, contrary to all the rules 
of war, it is a wonder to me that they have comr 
mitted so few acts of retaliation. 

When arrested, the doctor declared, with most 



A SCOUT AND SPY. JOS 

emphatic assertions, that he was a loyal man, though 
the men that confronted him knew, by sad experi- 
ence, that such assertions were false. Such provo- 
cation, coupled with the fear that he would escape 
punishment, caused this summary execution, I only 
regret that a more civilized mode was not resorted 
to. The next day the troops moved on toward Mem- 
phis, and no complaint was ever made about it at 
head-quarters. 



204 FOUR YEARS 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Arrival in Memphis — Daring robbery — Detailed by the Provost- 
marshal General — Assumes the character of a rebel Major — Se- 
cesh acquaintances — Captures a rebel mail — A jollification — A 
rebel trader — Plan to run the pickets — Escape of the outlaws. 

On the 22d day of January, 1863, Greneral Logan's 
division arrived in Memphis, Tenn., preparatory to 
moving down the Mississippi, to join in the campaign 
against Vicksburg. While there, as I was passing 
through the city, accompanied by William Goodhart, 
of the 20th Ohio, I saw a splendid carriage approach- 
ing, drawn by a fine pair of black horses, with silver- 
plated harness. In it were Captain Daniels and the 
Quartermaster that had captured me and taken me 
to Cold Water to be paroled. 

As the carriage came up, we sprang into the street 
toward it, to capture the inmates. Recognizing me, 
they sprang out at the opposite side, and ran in dif- 
ferent directions and made their escape Supposing 
that the carriage and horses belonged to them, we 
unfastened the horses, mounted them, and started 
for camp, leaving the carriage standing in the street. 
We reported, with the horses, to division head-quar- 
ters, and thence was ordered to brigade head-quarters. 
At brigade head-quarters we were ordered to turn 
them over to the Quartermaster of our own regiment, 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 205 

which we did. The next morning, the following ar- 
ticle appeared in the Memphis Bulletin: 

" Darinq Robbery. — Yesterday, some time during the day, 
two soldiers entered the stable of a citizen on Adams street, and 
took therefrom a valuable span of black horses, and a set of 
silver-plated harness, and succeeded in getting away with the 
stolen property. 

" Such outrages upon citizens of this city have become frequent 
of late, and it is high time that the military authorities took the 
matter in hand and suppressed such disgraceful proceedings." 

The same day that the above article appeared, an 
order w^as procured by a citizen of the city for the 
release of the horses and harness. From what I 
could learn, the horses belonged to him, and not to 
the persons driving them. 

With nothing to do about Memphis but idle my 
time away in camp, I began to get restless and un- 
easy, and was about contriving some way to get out- 
side of the lines to work, when I received word that 
General Logan wanted to see me. I immediately 
reported to him, and was handed a sealed envelope 
and ordered to report with it to Colonel Hillyer, 
Provost-marshal General on General Grant's staff. 
I carried the communication to the Colonel, as di- 
rected, and, when he had read it, he immediately sat 
down and wrote me an order, of which the following 
is a copy: 

" Head-quarters Department op the Tennessee, 
" Opfice op the Provost-marshal GE^JERAL, 

" Memphis, Tenn., February 6, 1863. 
"The bearer, Lorain Ruggles, is in scout service of the Govern- 
ment. He will be passed through all lines, at all hours. He will 
be furnished with whatever assistance he may require. 



216 FOUH TEAES 

"He has authority to make arrests, reporting the same to the 
nearest military commander or Provost-marshal. 

" All officers and soldiers of this command will, in every "way, 
facilitate his operations. 

"By command of Major-General U. S. Grant. 

"William Hillyer, 

'■^Provost-marshal General." 

Handing me the order and some money, the Col- 
onel told me to procure a place to board, and then 
commence operations. He requested me to report 
every two or three days the result of my labors, and 
to do my reporting, when practicable, at night. 

I selected a boarding-house on Adams street, kept 

by a Mrs. W s. There I represented myself as 

a Major in the rebel army. My former residence in 
the city, at intervals of time, gave me an acquaint- 
ance that enabled me readily to carry out the char- 
acter of a rebel officer, without exciting any suspicion 
to the contrary. 

Having established myself in my boarding-house, 
I proceeded to drum up the acquaintance of such 
persons as I had reason to believe were of suspicious 
loyalty. 

My first acquaintance of that sort was a Captain 
Wells, who formejrly commanded an independent 
company in Vicksburg, Miss., but who had resigned 
hi-s commission in the Confederate army and estab- 
lished himself in business in Memj^his. He was at 
that time a " Union man,''^ with the oath of alle- 
giance in his pocket, but engaged in buying horses 
of Federal soldiers, and smuggling them through the 
Federal lines. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 207 

My acquaintance with him soon led to an acquaint- 
ance with others, variously engaged — some as guer- 
rillas, some horse-stealers, some smugglers, some as 
mail-carriers, and others in various disloyal capaci- 
ties. They all knew me by my assumed rank, and 
always addressed me as Major Ruggles. 

On one occasion, while looking about the city, one 
of my disloyal acquaintances informed me that there 
was a large mail in town from Missouri, to go to 
General Price's army; and, said he, "Major, I thought 
that, perhaps, you would be going down that way 
soon, and if you are, why not take it with you? I 
presume it is a mail of considerable importance, and 
undoubtedly General Price would compensate you 
well for it. 

*' Perhaps I will take it down," I replied. "But I 
must make some arrangements with my wife before 
I go, and I will let you know in the morning." 

"Very well. Come up in the morning." 

I then went and told the Provost-marshal General 
what I had learned. He told me to keep watch, and 
when it started out, to capture it. 

The next day I went to see about carrying it out 
myself, and was told that a man had already made 
arrangements to carry it, and that it was packed up, 
ready to go. While talking about the mail, another 
of my new acquaintances came up, and I invited the 
two to walk over to the Italian saloon with me and 
take something to drink. 

"You go with me," said the new comer, "over to 
the saloon where I get my drinks." 

"Very well," said I, and we all went over. 



208 FOUR YEARS 

In front of the saloon was hitclied a horse and 
buggy. In the saloon, besides the proprietor, was a 
very gentlemanly-looking man, who, soon after we 
entered, asked the proprietor of the saloon if he had 
any word that he wanted to send to Hernando. The 
man said he was going down that way, and if he had 
any thing to send he would take it. 

The proprietor had nothing to send, and the gen- 
tleman, without making any further business, went 
out. The thought now occurred to me that the mail 
was in the buggy at the door, and the man that went 
out was the mail-carrier. I excused myself from 
my companions, as soon as I could, and started out 
to watch the suspected gentleman. When I went 
out, he had unhitched and started down the street. 
I followed along, through one street after another, 
until the buggy stopped at a provision store. There 
the gentleman purchased a demijohn of something, 
and a side of bacon. I saw him place them in the 
buggy, and then return to make other purchases. 

I then went to Captain Taylor, who had charge of 
the Government horses in the city, whom I found 
sitting on his horse at his stables. I told him that 
a rebel mail was going out through the lines, and 
that I wanted his horse long enough to ride out to 
the picket line, on the Hernando road, and stop it. 
He lent me his horse, and I soon found myself at 
the picket line. 

I found a Lieutenant in command of the pickets. 
I told him that there would be a rebel mail attempt 
to pass his lines, and that it would be in a one-horse 
buggy, driven by a very gentlemanly-looking man, 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 209 

and that the buggy that contained the mail would 
contain a demijohn and a side of bacon. I told him 
to be thorough, and search the man's person and his 
buggy and the cushions, and every thing else about 
the buggy and to do it in such a way as not to lead 
the man to suspect that any information had been 
given him. I then took another road and returned 
to the city. 

I had not been gone more than an hour, when the 
man described drove up to the pickets, halted, and 
handed out his pass for examination. The Lieuten- 
ant, having examined it, told him that he presumed 
he was all right, but attempts had been made to carry 
contraband articles through the lines, and his in- 
structions were such that he was under the necessity 
of making a thorough search before passing him. The 
man assured the Lieutenant that he had no objections 
to being searched, and that nothing could be found 
about himself or buggy not mentioned in the pass. 

The man's person was searched and then the 
buggy, and finally the cushions of the buggy were 
examined, and in them, neatly quilted in, was found 
the mail. It is needless to add that the gentlemanly 
personage was furnished accommodations in the Irving 
Block, and the mail was turned over to the Proyost- 
marshal General. I never learned what became of 
the man afterward. 

A few days after the arrest of the rebel mail-car- 
rier, I invited several of my new acquaintances down 
to my boarding-house, to have a little jollification. 
They all accepted the invitation, and, at the ap- 
pointed time, made their appearance. 
14 



210 FOUR YEARS 

When I went to Mrs. W 's to board, I took 

with me a yellow boy that had been in my Captain's 
employ nearly a year. I had trained him so that 
he understood me perfectly, and, being naturally of 
a smart, ready turn of mind, and quick to compre- 
hend my meaning, was of great assistance, when I 
was visited by rebel friends, in helping me to carry 
out my assumed character. 

On this occasion, he represented to perfection the 
character of a negro waiter. I called him " Spence." 
Whenever his name was called, he would promptly 
enter the room, with his hat under his arm, and ap- 
proach me with as much manifestation of profound 
respect as if I had been a king, receive my orders 
with marked attention and execute them with won- 
derful agility, and then immediately retire from the 
room. 

I had procured a supply of whisky, and Spence was 
frequently called in to exercise his masterly skill at 
preparing slings, punches, etc., for which my guests 
had a peculiar relish. 

From my rank, my companions seemed to regard 
me as possessing peculiar advantages over them, and 
all seemed desirous to secure my advice and my per- 
sonal assistance in their individual projects. By 
that means, I was enabled to find out very much 
that was going on, that I otherwise would not have 
done. 

Among my guests of that evening was a man that 
had been in the Confederate army, and had been se- 
verely wounded in the shoulder in the battle at Fort 
Donelson. On account of his wound he had been dis- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 211 

charged. As a sort of compensation, to enable him to 
make a living, for which his disability had seriously 
disabled him. General Price had given him a paper 
authorizing him to trade and sell goods in the Con- 
federate army. 

After showing me his paper, signed by General 
Price, "Now," said he, "Major, you can render me 
some assistance, if you feel disposed, that will be of 
great help to me in my circumstances." 

"Indeed! I should be very happy to do so; but 
you must remembe.r that I am under bonds to the 
Federal authorities, and I have to be very careful what 
I do ; if I am caught in any scrape, they will surely 
hang me." 

"I am well aware of that, Major, but I think you 
can do it, without subjecting yourself to any great 
danger." 

" Well, what is it that you want I should do ?" 

" I '11 tell you. I have been engaged, for some 
time, in purchasing, in small quantities at a time, 
various articles of goods, to take through the Federal 
lines to sell, and I have now got about four hundred 
dollars' worth. The military authorities are begin- 
ning to suspicion me, and I have got to move the 
goods to some place for safe-keeping. Your board- 
ing-rooms are not very public, and you could keep 
the goods here without exciting suspicion." 

"I expect that I might. I have done more 
hazardous jobs than that since I have been in the 
Confederate service. I think I can manage it. You 
may get the goods ready, and then let me know it, 
and I will send my servant after them." 



212 FOUR YEARS 

" Thank you, Major! You are just the man to do 
it. I will get them ready in the morning." 

My friend Captain W s also had a little scheme 

in view, which he related to me, as follows : 

" I have got six fine horses, that I have purchased 
of Federal cavalrymen, and I want to manage some 
way to get them throudi the Yankee lines. Now, 
Major, what plan do you propose to get them through ?" 

" Well, really. Captain, I hardly know what course 
would be advisable. The 'Yankees' are getting to 
be mighty strict in their picket duties. A sudden 
dash upon the pickets, some dark night, by as many 
plucky riders as you have horses, might take them 
through." 

" That 's my mind exactly. Major ! and I was 
thinking if I could get some military man of expe- 
rience, like yourself, to lead us, the plan might be 
executed to a charm ! What do you say ? will you 
lead us ?" 

"Well, Captain, the undertaking is a bold one, 
but I think I am good for it ; at any rate, I will try." 

" Good ! good ! Major, here 's your health !" and 
they all drank heartily. 

Late at night, the festival broke up, with an agree- 
ment to meet at frequent intervals, as opportunity 
offered. 

The |iext day the contraband goods were brought 
over to my rooms and secreted. 

I will here relate a little incident concerning my 
servant Spence, to show how well I succeeded in 
making my secesh acquaintances believe that I was 
a Southerner and a slave-owner. I was in the habit 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 213 

of finding fault with liim, and would reprimand him 
severely for the slightest neglect, and sometimes 
imaginary ones, were sufficient to call forth from me 
the severest rebuke. 

A few mornings after the night of our festival, 
several of my secesh friends called on me to ride out 
in the city. I ordered Spence to bring out my horse. 
When he made his appearance at the front of the 
house, I went out to see that every thing was in 
proper order, and at once flew into a terrible pas- 
sion with him, on the pretense that the horse was 
not properly cleaned. Spence, as if mistrusting 
something was up, was about to leave. 

"Here, you black rascal I" said I; "why didn't 
you clean that horse's legs? Ha'n't I taught you 
better than that? Come here, you black lazy calf, 
till I thrash you ! What ! lived with me all your 
life, and don't hiow how to dean a horse! Ha'n't I 
thrashed you time and again for that ? Come here, 
I say! I '11 fix you!" 

Spence, as if apprehending a booting, manifested a 
w^onderful fear of me, and no inclination to approach 
nearer, and, as I approached him, he involuntarily 
drew back. I attempted to catch him, and he ran 
away from me into the back yard, and I after him. 
" Stop ! stop ! you black d — 1 you ! Stop ! or I '11 
shoot you!" I shouted. 

Mrs. W s and my companions ran to the back 

door to see what I was doing. As they came out, I 
fired my revolver. Spence stopped, and, facing me, 
implored, "Oh, Lord! Massa Ruggles, don't shoot 
dis nigger ! do n't shoot again-, for de Lord's sake ! 



214 FOUR YEARS 

do n't shoot ! I '11 done clean de hoss all oif clean de 
nex' time ! I will, I will, for shure, Massa Ruggles !" 

" Do n't shoot him, Major ! " impbred Mrs. 
W s. 

" Do n't shoot him, Major ! for God's sake, do n't 
shoot him !" implored my friends. 

" Well, I won't shoot him this time, but the next 
time he won't get oif so easy. Do you understand 
that, you black rascal?" 

" Yes, Massa Ruggles ! I 'spects dat I was care- 
less. I '11 done clean him good now !" and away he 
went to clean the horse. 

Many a laugh have Spence and I had, when by 
ourselves, over my pretense to shoot him. 

A few nights after the above occurrence, another 
jollification was held at my rooms. Before sepa- 
rating, it was agreed that eight of us, including 
myself and Spence, should take the contraband 
horses and goods, and, on a night agreed upon, if 
every thing was favorable, make a dash through the 
lines. 

The time agreed upon came, and with it my rebel 
acquaintances, prepared for the dash. I was not 
ready, and apologized by saying that the weather 
had been so bad for a day or two that I did n't 
think they would be along that night. I told them 
that I had left my saddle at a harness shop to be 
repaired, but if they would wait until I couicl go 
and get it, I would accompany them. To this they 
agreed. Taking Spence with me, I started for the 
saddle. 

I procured one, to prevent suspicion, and, carry- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 215 

ing it with me, I went to the officer of the provost- 
guards. I tokl him what was going on, and then 
N showed him my order from Colonel Hillyer, and told 
him that I wanted six men. My plan was to place 
them where they could throw themselves suddenly 
across a street that we would have to pass, as we 
came up, and halt us, and to fire into every man 
that did not halt. Spence and myself would, of 
course, halt and be captured. The Captain would 
not give me any men unless I would take a whole 
company. I remonstrated. I knew that six men 
would not be suspected of any thing more than an 
ordinary patrol guard, if seen on their way to the 
place designated, and it would be impossible to get 
so many men into position without their being seen. 
The Captain would not yield, and I started with a 
full company, under command of a Lieutenant. 
After we had started, the Captain halted us, and 
charged the Lieutenant not to divide the company 
into squads, but to keep his men compact in a body. 
That completely spoiled my plans, but I had no 
other alternative. 

Before we got within three hundred yards of the 
outlaws, they discovered the force coming and mis- 
trusted their object. They raised a veW of defiance, 
and, swinging their hats with whoops and hurrahs, 
dashed out of sight before the company could be got 
into line. They succeeded in dashing through the 
lines, and I have never heard of them since. 

The contraband goods, however, remained in my 
possession, and I turned them over to the Provost- 
marshal. 



216 ' FOUE YEARS 

I was heartily vexed with the failure, and dis- 
gusted with the detective service, and resolved that 
I would never have any thing more to do with it. 
How well I kept my resolution the sequel will 
show. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 217 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Reports to Major-General McPherson — Instructions — Disguise — 
Starts for Vicksburg — Changes liis route — Reports to General 
Denver -^Acquaintance with a cotton-buyer — Plan to make 
money — Visit to guerrilla Sol. Street — The arrangement con- 
summated — Visit to General Price — Arrival at Jackson- 
Robbed of his field-glasses — Introduction to President Davis — 
Visit to Vicksburg — Visit to Edwards' Station — Meets his 
bear-hunting comrades — Visits Rlack River bridge — Robbed 
of his horse — The return — Reports to General McPherson — 
Reports to General Grant. 

Havixg fully determined to do no more detective 
service, I went to Colonel Hillyer, of General Grant's 
staff, and told him that I was desirous of making a 
trip to Jackson, Mississippi, and also to Vicksburg, 
and that General Ross had frequently promised me 
an opportunity of doing so. The Colonel said that 
he was not only willing but desirous that I should 
do so, and that, as General Grant had gone down to 
Milliken's Bend, I had better report to General 
McPherson, and tell him what I wanted. I did so, 
and was informed by the General that, as I was 
a stranger to him, if Colonel Hillyer wanted me 
to go, he must give me a written order to that ef- 
fect. On reporting back to the Colonel, he gave me 
a written order, and on that authority General Me- 



218 FOUR YEARS 

Pherson at once gave me his instructions, and fur- 
nished me with funds to supply myself with an 
outfit. I also received from Colonel Hillyer a large 
roll of Confederate money, with which to bear my 
expenses. 

, My instructions were to go down on the Hernando 
road from Memphis to Grenada, and see how many 
troops were there, and whether the ejiemy was 
fortif34ng at that place, and whether appearances 
indicated a determination to remain there long. I 
was then to go on to Jackson, Miss., and see how 
many troops were there, and ascertain, if I could, 
from a reliable source, whether the robs were still 
operating the Confederate States armory at Colum- 
bus, Miss., or had removed it, as had been reported, 
to the State of Alabama. Then I was to go to 
Clinton, Miss., and see how many troops were there ; 
and then to Edwards' Station, and see how many 
were there; and then to Black River bridge, and 
see its defenses, and gather all the information that 
I could concerning them, and find out, if possible, 
how many forces were at Haines' Bluff; and then 
return to Memphis, and if General McPherson was 
not there, to follow down the Mississippi River until 
I found him. 

When he had finished his instructions, I said to 
him, " General, I am confident that I can get to 
Jackson, Mississippi, easy enough; but what excuse 
can I make, or business can I pretend to have, that 
will call me to Black River bridge ? Why not instruct 
me to go on to Vicksburg, and then there can be 
no suspicion on my visit to the bridge." 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 219 

He replied, " Ruggles, the Grovernment has sent 
six men into Vicksburg already, and none of them 
have returned ; it is of no use to send out men un- 
less they return. Act your pleasure about it, but go 
no further than you can go and get back." 

I felt uneasy about trying to go to Black River 
bridge without going to Vicksburg, and I did not 
like to assume the responsibility without saying 
something about it, for fear I might fail to get back. 
I decided to go in only on condition that circum- 
stances favored a certainty of return. 

The disguise that I chose was that of a well-to-do 
Southern planter, accompanied by a servant — myself 
on horseback and my servant mounted upon a mule. 
Spence went with me as servant. We were both of 
us richly dressed. I carried on my shoulders a pair of 
field-glasses, and had in my possession a splendid gold 
watch, which was furnished me as a i>£iYt of my out- 
fit, and afterward given to me by General Grant. 
My hair, at that time, was very long, hanging down 
upon my shoulders. I wore a very broad-brimmed 
black hat. 

Every thing being ready, I started out on the road 
leading to Hernando on the morning of the 24th day 
of February, 1863. When we were fairly outside of 
the Federal lines, Spence began to reflect on what 
the consequences would be if I were found out to be 
a spy. After riding several miles without saying a 
word, and appearing to be more than usually serious, 
he said: "Mr. Bunker, a'n't you gwine right down 
in among de rebils ? " 

"Yes; why?" 



220 FOUK YEARS 

" If cle secesh dun git us, won't dey hang us 
both ? " 

"You keep that to yourself; if you don't they 
will certainly hang us both. Remember what I 
say : all you have to do is to obey me promptly at 
all times. You must be my nigger — raised with me, 
and just a day and a half older than I am. Do you 
understand me?" 

"I spects dat I do." 

"No matter," I continued, "how much I scold or 
boot you, you must carry out the character of a tip- 
top genteel nigger waiter; and you must make 
every body think that you have got the hest master 
in the world. Can you do it?" 

" I spects dat I can." 

Spence was too' deeply impressed with the reality 
of the situation to say much ; but, however much he 
feared the consequences of a discovery, he acted well 
the part assigned him, and that, too, knowing the 
certain fate awaiting him if my real character should 
be found out. 

At the time that I started, the weather had been 
rainy for some time, and the ground had become 
completely saturated with water, the roads muddy, 
and the streams very high. I had gone but about 
twenty miles, when I found that the bridges across 
the streams had all been destroyed either by the 
enemy or swept off by the water, and that they 
were too high for me to ford them. 

I then turned to go back to Memphis, but I found 
that a squad of guerrillas had got between me and 
the city. ]S"ot wishing to encounter them, I made 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 221 

my way across to Lafayette, a town on the Memphis 
and Charleston Railroad. At that place' I found 
Brigadier-General Lee (formerly Colonel of the 7th 
Kansas Cavalry). I called on him, and requested 
him to inform General McPherson that on account 
of the high water, I was unable to get through on 
the Hernando road. From Lafayette I went to 
Lagrange, at which place I found General Denver. 
I requested of him a pass to go through his lines. 
He inquired who I was. I told him, and, to convince 
him, showed him the order Colonel Hillycr gave 
me to scout, in Memphis ; but, for some reason, best 
known to himself, he took the order away from me. 
It was raining at the time I asked for the pass, and 
I requested to have it dated for the next day. The 
Adjutant remarked that if I had it dated a day ahead 
it would afford me d^ fine opportunity to see how many 
forces they had before I went out. A pass was granted 
me, however, to go oat, but not to return, and I 
remained at LagrUnge until the next day. I think 
that General Denver doubted my being a Federal 
scout. Not expecting to pass any Federal lines, 
except when I left Memphis, I had no pass proper 
for the occasion, and showed the order that I had 
for want of something better. 

I put up at a house of entertainment kept by a 
Mr. Lee, where I met with a cotton-buyer by the 
name of Hall, who was boarding at the same place. 
In the course of our conversation, something was 
said about a noted guerrilla by the name of Sol. 
Street. I remarked, " I do n't see how it comes 
that Sol. Street has managed to make himself so 



222 FOUR YEARS 

noted; he is a man that very little was said about 
before the war." 

"Do YOU know Sol. Street?" said the cotton- 
buyer. 

" Yes, I have known him for ten or twelve years. 
I knew him when he lived in Memphis, and then 
afterward when he lived on Island 40, and then 
again when he moved up to the foot of Island 37." 

"Now, see here," said Hall; "you want to make 
money and I want to make money, and now is the 
time to do it. If you are acquainted with Sol. Street, 
you can arrange the matter so as to make a hand- 
some thing of it for both of us." 

"How so?" 

" Well, I will tell you Sol. Street has got about 
eighty guerrillas stationed back in the country a few 
miles, and in their rear is a large amount of cotton. 
I have seen it, and it is worth eighty cents a pound. 
Sol. Street likes money as well as either you or I. 
Now, if you will see him, and get him to give you 
a writing that he will withdraw his men for ten 
clays, and let Government teams in there, without 
molesting them, to haul the cotton away, I will give 
Sol. one-half of the proceeds of the cotton, at eighty 
cents a pound, and I will give you live thousand 
dollars of my share, and you shall see the cotton 
weighed and carry Sol.'s money to him." 

" That would really be a nice little spec, wouldn't 
it?" 

"Yes; and now is the time to strike." 

" Well, I am going down into the Confederacy to 
be gone several days, perhaps two weeks, and I will 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 223 

try and see Sol. Street and find out what he will 
do about it, and I will let you know on my return." 

" Well, do. I am sure that you can't make five 
thousand dollars easier." 

In the morning, I resumed my journey, and had 
proceeded as far as Waterford, when I accidentally 
come across Sol. Street. He immediately recog- 
nized me as an old acquaintance. After convers- 
ing awhile, I said to him, " Sol., you like to make 
money and so do I, and it do n't matter much how 
we make it, either. I know of a chance for both 
of us to make something." 

"Well, what is it?" 

" There is a large lot of cotton in the country, to 
the rear of your men, and there is a Yankee cotton- 
buyer, that has seen the cotton, who says that it is 
worth eighty cents a pound, and that if you will 
agree to withdraw your men for ten days, and aHow 
him, unmolested, to haul the cotton out with Fed- 
eral teams, he will sell the cotton and pay over to 
me one-half of the proceeds of the cotton for you, 
and will give me five thousand dollars. What do 
you think of that, Sol.? " 

" Will you be responsible to me for my share ? " 

"Yes, I will, and I think it is as fine a chance for 
you to make a little fortune, and do it easy, as you 
will ever have. What do you say, will you do it ? " 

" Yes, I will ; I am bound to make money out of 
this war, and I don't care a d — n how I do it." 

"That's the understanding then, is it?" 

" Yes, and when you get ready to have the cot- 
ton out, let me know it, and I '11 withdraw the men." 



224 FOUR YEARS 

However well I had completed the arrangements, 
I had no intention of participating in a traffic of that 
kind on my own responsibility. I relate it merely 
that the reader may see one of the internal phases 
of this monstrous rebellion. Others have made 
mono}?" in that way. 

The journey from Waterford to Grenada was a 
painfully lonesome one. ISTot a human being, save 
a few citizens at Oxford, were seen to enliven the 
solitude that prevailed. Scarcely a living being was 
to be seen, save perhaps, now and then, a poor, old, 
blind and crippled mule or horse, in the last stages 
of starvation. Even the feathered songsters of the 
forest seemed to realize the utter desolation that 
prevailed, and lent, by their silence and seclusion, to 
that inexpressible gloom. Scarcely a fence or 
plantation-house remained to mark the place where 
happiness and prosperity had once existed. Huge 
chimney-stacks pointed out where the consuming 
elements had been, and stood as monuments of ret- 
ribution that was being meted out to those whose 
folly had led them to participate in their own fear- 
ful destruction. I involuntarily exclaimed, " Surely, 
the way of the transgressor is hard ! " 

On my arrival at the rebel lines, near Grenada, 
I experienced no difficulty in passing, and, without 
having met with any obstacles after leaving the 
Federal lines, I found myself once more a sojourner 
in Grenada. I found about 14,000 troops stationed 
there, composed of infantry, cavalry and artillery, 
and considerably improved in appearance since my 
last visit to the place. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 225 

I repaired at once to General Price's head-quar- 
ters, and there I found General Wheeler, whom I 
have mentioned as having met before in the rebel 
army, at General Van Dorn's head-quarters. I 
asked General Price for a pass to visit Jackson, and 
for the privilege of leaving my horse and mule with 
his head-quarter horses until my return, which was 
granted. While there, I found out that General 
Wheeler had just received a permit to visit Jack- 
son, so I pro2:)osed to accompany him, to which he 
assented, and we both took the cars together. 

At the depot I met with an old acquaintance from 
Arkansas, from whom I learned that three of my 
old bear-hunting comrades, by the names of Samuel 
Teel, Henry Thomas, and Lemuel Mcintosh, were 
in the 10th Arkansas Infantry, and that the regi- 
ment was at Edwards' Station, four miles from Black 
River. I knew that Teel had been a regular cane- 
brake' ranger, and I concluded that, if I could find 
him, I could contrive some way to get safely to Black 
River bridge. 

On our way down. General Wheeler told me 
that President Davis was to be at Jackson, and that 
his business down there was to see the President. 
The idea of seeing JefP. Davis pleased me. I told 
the General that I was glad to hear that the Presi- 
dent was to be there, for I had never been so fortu- 
nate as to have met him, and that I should be very 
happy to make his acquaintance. He promised that 
if an opportunity occurred, he would give me an in- 
troduction. 

On our arrival at Jackson, we repaired at once to 
15 



226 FOUR YEARS 

the Confederate House, registered our names, and 
procured rooms. Before I had been shown to my 
room, a General (I learned afterward) from South 
Carolina, stepped up to me, and, taking my field- 
glasses from my shoulders and placing them upon 
his own, said : " Citizens have no use for such things, 
and Generals have,". 

"Take them, General; take them along, sir! I am 
willing to do any thing for our Government. You 
are j^erfectly welcome, sir." 

I knew that it would do no good to object, but I 
should have been better pleased if he had as much 
as thanked me for them, but, instead, he walked off 
with as much dignity as if "Monarch of all he sur- 
veyed." 

Shortly after our arrival, I entered the sitting- 
room, in company with General Wheeler, where we 
found President Davis and his attendants, and Lieu- 
tenant-General Joe Johnston. Among the attendants 
were several Generals, whose names I did not learn ; 
one of them, however, had my field-glasses. General 
Wheeler approached the President and introduced 
himself, and then introduced me as a brother of Gen- 
eral lluggles. He also introduced me, in the same 
way, to General Johnston. 

I remained at the Confederate House four days, at 
an expense of thirteen dollars per day for myself 
and servant. During our stay, Spence came in for 
his share of notoriety. He was remarkably attetitive 
to my wants and scrupulously exact in all his ar- 
rangements of my toilet. His own clothing was 
richer than that of any body-servant at the hotel, 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 229 

and he kept it perfectly clean. His superior dress 
helped him wonderfully in carrying out the character 
he had assumed. It was really amusing to observe 
his lofty and dignified bearing among those of his 
own color. 

After having seen what I could to advantage in 
Jackson, I went to General Johnston and showed 
him my pass from General Price, and told him that 
I wanted him, if agreeable to his good will and 
pleasure, to give me a permit to visit Vicksburg and 
return. I told him that I had some friends in there, 
and, as we did not always know what might be the 
fortunes of war, I was extremely anxious to see them. 
He made no hesitation about it, but immediately 
ordered the required pass for a period of ten days, 
subject to the approval of the Provost-marshal in 
Vicksburg, whenever I wished to return. 

I took the cars the same day, and went into Vicks- 
burg, where I remained two days. I found a force 
of ten regiments of infantry there, and, as near as I 
could judge, 2,000 heavy artillery. From what I 
could learn, there was at Haines' Bluff about 12,000 
troops. The batteries along the river were vevj 
formidable, and seemed to me sufficient, if well 
served, to annihilate any water craft that might un- 
dertake to pass. 

At the expiration of two days, I went to the Pro- 
vost-marshal and got . my pass approved, and re- 
turned as far as Edwards' Station, where I had the 
good fortune to find my old friends, whose names I 
have mentioned. They were very much delighted 
to see me. Sam. Teel still carried his old favorite 



230 FOUR YEARS 

rifle, which he called "Old Bill." Many a bear had 
I seen succumb to its unerring aim. The next day 
after my arrival, Sam. Teel procured a pass for him- 
self and three others (mentioning our names) to visit 
Black River and fish. We went directly to the 
bridge, and then rambled up and down the stream 
as much as we pleased. Teel showed me how they 
had blockaded the river below the bridge by sinking 
two small steamboats, one a little above the other, 
to keep our gun-boats from coming up to the bridge. 
The bridge and its approaches was guarded by a 
force of 1,000 men. It was nearly night when we 
returned to camp. At Edwards' Station, I found 
a force of 40,000 men. I remained there five days, 
and then returned to Jackson on foot. 

At Clinton, a smart little place, ten miles west of 
Jackson, I saw one regiment of infantry. At Jack- 
son there was but one regiment of infantry ; that 
w^as the 17th Mississippi Zouaves, called the " Pride 
of the Confederacy," and armed with Colt's revolv- 
ing rifles. I w^as informed in Jackson that the ar- 
mory at Columbus, Miss., had been removed into 
the State of Alabama. 

Having found out all that had been required of 
me in my instructions, I thought it was best to re- 
turn. Accordingly, I again visited General John- 
ston, and requested a j^ass to Grenada, which was 
granted. 

On arriving at General Price's head-quarters, I 
found that during my absence my horse had been 
stolen. I made no complaint about it, but contin- 
ued my journey with my mule and servant. Just 



Vl. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 231 

before night, on the first day out from Grenada, I 
passed a stable that contained a very good-looking 
horse. I proceeded on about two miles, and halted 
until after dark, when, leaving my servant and mule 
until my return, I went back and took possession of 
the horse. 

We then rode all night, and the next day until 
nearly night, without halting, for fear that the owner 
of the horse would get track of us and follow on 
after. We succeeded, however, in making our way 
to the Federal lines without difficulty. 

On our arrival at Memphis, being unable to pro- 
cure transportation down the river for my horse and 
mule, I turned the former over to the post Quarter- 
master, and left the latter at my old boarding place, 
on Adams street. It was the same mule that had 
been given to me by General Ross, and taken from 
me by the outlaws. I then took a steamboat passage 
to Lake Providence, La., where I found General 
McPherson. 

Having heard my report, the General expressed a 
doubt about the two steamboats that I have spoken 
of being sunk in Black River, below the bridge. In 
order to test my reliability, he questioned me about 
what kind of a man General Wheeler was, his stat- 
ure, weight, complexion, etc., and let on that he was 
a very large man. I told him that he was mistaken, 
or else the General Wheeler that he knew and the 
one that I knew were two different persons. He 
then told me that he and General Wheeler both at- 
tended the Military School "at West Point at the 
same time, and that he knew him well, and that 1 



232 FOUR YEARS 

described him exactly. I afterward had an oppor- 
tunity of proving to him that I was correct about 
the sunken steamboats, by taking him in person to 
the place and showing him the remains of them. 

After I had finished my report to General Mc- 
Pherson, he sent me to General Grant, who was then 
at Milliken's Bend, La. I reported to him all the 
particulars of my trip, even to the conversation that 
I had held with Hall, the cotton-buyer, and Sol. 
Street, the guerrilla. I also asked the General if 
there would be any harm in such outside transactions. 
I told him that if I was allowed to do it, I could pay 
my own expenses in the secret service, and thereby 
save that much expense to the Government. 

Said he, " Ruggles, do n't you have any business 
transactions with outlaws ; if you do, I shall certainly 
disgrace you. Do a straightforward, honest business 
for the Government, and then, if you should ever 
need any assistance, come to me about it, and I will 
see that jou have all the help that you need. A 
good name, well earned, is worth more to you than 
all you can make by unlawful traffic." 

I think the General's advice was excellent. At 
all events, I have followed it, and saved myself the 
disgrace that has since fallen upon many, far my 
superiors in rank. I have never seen the cotton- 
buyer nor the guerrilla since. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 233 



CHAPTER XX. 

Return to Mississippi — Instructions — Visit to Troy — Movement 
of cavalry — Reports to General Denver — Is arrested — Federal 
Cavalry driven back — Is released — Visits Greenwood — Journey 
to the Mississippi River — The perilous crossing — Again ar- 
rested — Interview with General Prentiss — Takes the oath of 
allegiance — Meets a friend — Makes his escape — Reports to 
General Gra*at. 

Whet^t Greneral Grant had heard my report of 
my Mississippi trip, he supplied me with funds, 
and requested me to return into the Confederacy, 
to whatever pUice I thought proper, and remain 
until I saw a movement worth}^ of his notice, and 
then immediately return. 

With these instructions, I started for Memphis, 
leaving my servant Spence to report himself to my 
Captain, 

At the time I undertook to make the trip, a part 
of the army operating for the capture of Vicksburg 
was engaged in trying to get through the Yazoo 
Pass into the Yazoo River. A part was at Lake 
Providence, a part at Milliken's Bend,' and the rest 
at Young's Point; the three latter places are in 
Louisiana, and the former in Mississippi. 

I made up my mind to visit that part of Missis- 



234 FOUR YEARS 

sippi through which any force designing to operate 
against General Grant's movements might be seen 
in time to communicate the fact to General Grant. 

Supposing that I might have swamps and rivers 
to cross, which would have to be accomplished in 
canoes or on rafts, I determined to make the trip 
on foot. 

I left Memphis some time in the latter part of 
March, in the same dress that I had worn on the 
previous trip, and directed my course to Grenada, 
on the Hernando road. I met with nothing of in- 
terest on the entire road to Grenada, a distance of 
one hundred miles. 

On my arrival at Grenada, I found the forces 
that were there on my last visit to the place, under 
command of General Price, gone, except the con- 
valescents. 

General Price, as I learned afterward, had gone 
to Missouri. At that time, however, I supposed his 
forces were at Fort Pemberton, near Greenwood, 
Miss., resisting the advance of the Federal force 
through the Yazoo Pass. 

From Grenada I intended to visit Yazoo City, 
and left for that purpose the next morning after my 
arrival, on the road to Troy, which place I reached 
about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. There I re- 
mained until the next morning, and was about 
resuming ni}'' journey, when a force of five regiments 
of cavalry made its appearance, coming in on the 
same road that I intended to take out. They passed 
through Troy, and took the direct road to Coifeeville. 
I followed them on foot, and on my arrival at Cof- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 235 

feeville, I found them halted for the night. I had 
been there only a few minutes, when another cavalry 
force of live regiments came in on the road from 
Grenada, and halted for the night. 

The next morning a council was held by the 
commanding officers, but I was unable to learn the 
subject of discussion. The opinion prevailed among 
t'he troops that they were part of a force designed 
to take Memphis. 

I was of a different opinion. I did not think that 
they could bring to bear a sufficient force to take 
the place, and from what I had heard from some of 
the officers, I concluded they intended an attempt 
to capture Fort Randolph, above Memphis, and 
intercept the supplies being sent below for Greneral 
Grrant's army. I felt convinced that the movement 
was of such imj^ortance as to warrant me in report- 
ing it, and, not knowing how rapid the movement 
might be, I determined to report to the nearest 
Federal commander. 

Soon after the council of officers was held, the 
force started — the tirst five regiments on the road to 
Holly Springs, and the other five on the road to 
Hernando. I accompanied the first. 

One of the soldiers had an extra horse, which I 
persuaded him to let me ride. The march was 
continued to Lumpkins' Mills, where the regiments 
halted. There I turned my horse over to its owner, 
and before any pickets were thrown out I was on 
my way to Lagrange, which place I succeeded in 
reaching without any interruption. 

At the Yacona River a little incident occurred 



236 FOUR YEARS 

which amused me considerably. Previous to evacu- 
ating that position, the Federal trooi:)s destroyed the 
bridge across the river. The water in the stream 
at that place was quite shallow, but the mud was 
exceedingly soft and very deep, and the banks 
at the immediate edge of the water very steep 
and high for a horse to step from. The General 
in command of the force attempted to cross in 
advance of his command, and his horse, in stepping 
from the edge of the bank into the water with 
its forefeet, plunged in so unexpectedly deep that 
he precipitated the General over his head into 
the water, all over. By the time he had estab- 
lished himself on terra firma, he was, from his 
sousing in the mud and water, a ludicrous looking 
personage. 

On my arrival at Lagrange, I immediately re- 
ported the movements of the enemy to General 
Denver. For some reason,- best known to himself, 
he did not credit my report, and detained me under 
arrest until he could ascertain the truth of the 
matter. 

I told the General my instructions, and assured 
him that I thought the movement of the enemy was 
one worthy of notice. A regiment of cavalry was 
then sent out to reconnoiter, and when near Holly 
Springs they encountered the enemy, and a sharp 
engagement took place, in which the superior num- 
bers of the enemy enabled them to drive the Fed- 
erals back, with a loss of eighteen killed and wounded. 
At the end of three days the regiment returned, and 
the General was convinced that a part of my rej^tort, 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 237 

at leasts was true. He then told me that I had 
better report the movement to General Grant. 

I replied, "I have been of that opinion for three 
days.''^ 

I then determined to penetrate the country be- 
tween Hernando and Coffeeville to Greenwood, and 
find out the locality of the other five regiments of 
cavalry, and see the position and force of the enemy 
at Greenwood, and, if possible, communicate with 
General Ross, and then make my way across to the 
Mississij)pi River, and then to General Grant's head- 
quarters at Milliken's Bend, La. 

In crossing the country, I left Hernando to my 
right, but learned, by citizens, that the cavalry 
stopped at that place, and that General Hurlbut had 
sent a small force of cavalry to reconnoiter, which, 
like the one General Denver sent out, was driven 
back ^vith considerable loss. 

On arriving at Greenwood, I found that the prin- 
cipal part of the rebel force was twenty miles below; 
to which place I went. The force there at that 
time was a division of fourteen regiments of infantry, 
under General Tighlman, and one other division of 
infantry, under whose command I did not learn, 
and some artillery. 

At the time of my arrival, the rebs had erected 
a battery on a flat near the river, which they flat- 
tered themselves would do immense execution upon 
the Yankee fleet. The Yankees, during its erection, 
cut the levee above, and in the morning the rebs 
were chagrined to find the flat overflowed with three 
feet of water. 



FOUR YEARS 



I was exceedingly anxious to communicate with. 
General Ross, and the cutting of the levee had very 
much increased the difficulty of doing so. I made 
a great many inquiries concerning the Yankee fleet 
and the danger of crossing to the opposite side of 
the river. The soldiers assured me that every per- 
son that had attempted to cross had been fired into 
by the Federal gun-boats. The overflow of water 
made it impossible to reach General Ross from the 
side I was on. My anxiet}^ to do so caused me to 
make several indiscreet inquiries of the rebel soldiers, 
which, I was convinced, made them somewhat sus- 
picious of me, and T thought it not advisable to 
remain there longer than w^as absolutely necessary. 

On reflecting upon what course to pursue, I de- 
cided that the safest way would be for me to make 
my way to the Mississippi River, opposite Helena. 
With that determination, I left the rebel force in the 
afternoon of the next day after m}^ arrival, and re- 
traced my way twelve miles toward Greenwood, 
and there I took to the left on the bluff road that 
leads to the river, opposite Helena. 

So strong had ni}^ fears been excited for my safety, 
by the suspicions caused by my indiscreet inquiries, 
that I did not feel safe to stop at any plantation- 
house over night, but stayed by myself in the woods. 

Fortunately, the enemy did not suspicion me 
strono; enough to induce them to follow. After 
seven days' hard walking, I arrived at Crowder's 
plantation, on the Mississip2:>i River, near the foot 
of Island No. 60, without any molestation. 

I was then three miles from Helena, with the 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 239 

Father of Waters between, and no means of trans- 
portation across. I immediately commenced a search 
for some means of crossing. After spending several 
hom*s in search of a boat, I found a Dutchman, who 
owned an old leaky dug-out, which was very small 
and extremely unsafe for even one person to cross 
in. I concluded, however, that if I could buy it, I 
would make an attempt. The Dutchman asked me 
ten dollars for it, and could not be induced to take 
any thing less. I took it, at last, and paid him ten 
dollars in Confederate money. 

I embarked in it and undertook to cross. The 
water came in on me rapidly, and by the time I 
had reached the sand-bar at the foot of Island 60, 
my frail bark was so full of water that I was in 
imminent danger of going down. 

I landed on the bar, and drew my dug-out up on 
the sand and emptied out the water. I had still 
all of two miles further to go, without any inter- 
vening place on which to land, and before re-em- 
barking it was necessary to contrive some way to 
stop the leaks. 

Is^ine years previous to that time I had been en- 
gaged in chopping steamboat Wood on that very 
island. Two winters I had chopped wood there; 
consequently, I was no stranger to the locality. 

About a quarter of a mile from where I landed, 
near an old wood-chopper's shanty, I found an old 
shirt; with that I stopped .some of the worst leaks, 
which, having accomplished, I re-embarked on my 
perilous voyage. I kept my bark to the north of 
the middle bar, and ran into the Sterling chute, 



240 FOUR YEARS 

and then landed at Helena, near the foot of Main 
street. 

The moment my dug-out touched the shore, two 
guards stood ready to capture me, and accosted me 
with: 

" Halloo, old fellow! what 's the news on the other 
side of the river?" 

*'The news is favorable," I replied. 

" Well, I reckon we '11 have to take you to the 
Provost-marshal," said one of the guards. 

"Boys, I am a soldier, and I want you to take me 
to the General in command of the post." 

"Our instructions are to take all such customers 
as you are to the Provost-marshal." 

"I can't help that I am a Federal soldier, and 
I want you to take me to the General." 

They then called the corporal of the guard. I 
knew him ; he belonged to the 25th Indiana Infantry. 
I had frequently seen him in Memphis, during my 
stay there in the winter; but he knew me as my 
secesh acquaintances had known me — as a rebel 
Major. I prevailed on him, however, to send me to 
the General, whom I learned from him was General 
Prentiss. 

As soon as we arrived at the General's quarters, 
the guards explained how they had captured me, 
and then returned to their post, leaving me with 
the General. 

When ready to attend to me, he said: "Well, 
where do you belong?" 

" To General Grant's army." 

"What are you doing here?" 



A SCOUT AND SPY, 241 

"I came in from the other side of the river." 

"What do you want here?" 

" I want to take a steamboat down the river and 
report myself to General Grant." 

"Yes, to General Grant! That would be a nice 
way to get off! I guess the best place for you to 
report is to the Provost-marshal!" 

" General, I am a Mississippian, and a soldier 
sworn into the service of the United States ; and I 
belong to the Army of the Tennessee, under General 
Grant; the 17th Army Corps, General McPherson ; 
the 3d Division, General Logan ; the 2d Brigade, 
General Leggett; the 20th Ohio Regiment, Col. M. 
F. Force, and to company H, Capt. E. C. Downs ; 
and I am detached as a scout for General Grant." 

" Yes, a Mississi-pjyian ! There are a great many 
Missippians coming into our lines nowadays ! Have 
you any papers to show that? " 

"JN'o, sir, I have not; but I can tell you all the 
principal movements of the Federal army on the 
east side of the Mississippi River, since the capture 
of Fort Donelson, up to the present time." 

"Well, what are they?" 
' I then told him what they were, and where Gen- 
eral Grant's forces then were; and then I added, 
"I can tell you all about 3^our surrendering at Shi- 
loh, and what Confederate regiments captured you." 

"Well, that's quite likely; I suspected you could 
do as much. Noav tell me about the movements of 
the army in Missouri and Arkansas." 

"I can't do that, General." 

"No, I don't expect that you can. I will now 
16 



242 FOUR YEARS 

give you the following limits : You can go from my 
quarters to the Commercial House, and from there 
to the Provost-marshal's office and back; and if 
you undertake to get away I '11 have you shot." 

"General, I left papers in General Denver's pos- 
session, at Lagrange, Tennessee, that will show 
who I am and what my business is." 

"Well, you can have the limits that I have given 
you, and if you have got papers to show who you 
are, the Provost-marshal will write for you and get 
them." 

From the General's quarters I went to the Pro- 
vost-marshal, and requested him to write to General 
Denver for the order he took from me, when on my 
way to Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss. I learned 
from him that there was an order, from the com- 
mander of the post, requiring all citizens within the 
lines to take the oath of allegiance to the Federal 
Government by 9 o'clock of the next day, or be sent 
outside of the lines toward Little Rock. 

I went to General Prentiss the next morning, and 
aa'ain assured him that I was a Federal soldier, and 
asked him if he required me to take the oath of 
allegiance. 

He replied, "Yes; and unless you do, you will 
have to leave the lines before 9 o'clock this morn- 
ing," I then w^ent to the Provost-marshal and took 
the oath. 

I had hoped that in doing so I would be released, 
and allowed the full privilege of a citizen ; but, for 
some reason not known to me, I was not released 
from the limits assigned to me. I could not make 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 243 

General Prentiss nor the Provost-marshal believe 
that I was a soldier. Several of the soldiers in the 
25th Indiana Regiment, jon provost duty, had known 
me in Memphis, in my assumed character; but I 
could not make them believe that I was a Federal 
soldier. I had very little hopes of getting the order 
that General Denver had taken from me ; but I felt 
almost sure that among the great number of officers 
that I knew in General Grant's army, some of them 
would stop at Helena, either going up or down the 
river, and, with their assistance, I thought I could 
get released. It seemed to me as if every steamer 
would have on board some one of my numerous 
acquaintances ; but one came, and then another, and 
still another, and in that way day after day passed 
by, and no familiar face was seen. In that way I 
spent nine days in anxious suspense. 

At the levee, within the limits allowed me, lay 
the steamer Imperial. She was used for stationary 
purposes, and on board was kept a saloon and various 
refreshments. I was allowed to go on board of her 
whenever I desired. 

On the ninth day after my arrest, I happened to 
be on board of her, when the steamer Continental 
came down the river, and, stopping, made fast along- 
side of her. Before the guards made their appear- 
ance, I jumped aboard the Continental and ran up 
into the cabin, in search of some person that I 
knew. 

There I found Colonel Marsh, of the 20th Illinois 
Kegiment. He knew me. I told him how I came 
to be there, and that I wanted to run away and re- 



244 FOUR YEARS 

port myself to General Grrant. He was going on 
shore at the time. He handed me the key to his 
state-room and told me to make myself at home, 
and when the boat started he would join me. In 
the course of an hour we were under way, and 
without any molestation from the provost guards. 
Whether the Provost-marshal ever received my 
order from General Denver, or whether General 
Prentiss ever found out what became of me, is more 
than I know. 

I reported to General Grant the result of my 
trip, and why I had been so long in getting to him. 
He said that I had done right in coming back 
when I did, but that I should have reported the 
cavalry movement to General Hurlbut, at Memphis. 
He then relieved me from duty for thirty days, and 
allowed me to return to my regiment. 

I will here say, that I have no doubt that Gen- 
erals Denver and Prentiss acted in good faith on 
their part, and had what seemed to them good and 
sufficient reasons for detaining me as they did. 

All the conversation that I had with General 
Prentiss was no more than a Confederate spy might 
have had under the same circumstances. 

Papers I very seldom carry about me when in- 
side of the enemies lines ; and in the absence of such 
evidence, it is sometimes very hard to convince one's 
own friends of his loyalty, and equally as hard for 
the enemy to make him out a spy. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 246 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Return to the regiment — The Henry rifle — The march from Mil- 
liken's Bend — The tug of war — The army crosses the Missis- 
sippi — Capture of Port Gibson — Battle of Raymond — Amusing 
Capture — The charge on Jackson — Battle of Champion Hills — 
The rebel courier — Sharp-shooting — The gallant charge — The 
march to Vicksburg — The place besieged. 

It was about the middle of the month of April that 
I retm^ned to my regiment, which I found encamped 
at Berry's Landing, five miles above Lake Provi- 
dence, La. It was while there that I had an oppor- 
tunity of examining one of Henry's volcanic or re- 
peating rifles, which are capable of discharging 
seventeen shots without reloading. The one that I 
saw was in the possession of the Captain of the 
steamboat Superior. 

From my first enlistment I had possessed a strong- 
desire to have a first-class rifle of the most modern 
improvement. The promise of such a gun was the 
principal condition on which I enlisted. It was sev- 
eral months after I enlisted before I received in 
exchange for my "hand-spike" (musket) the En- 
field that was promised to me. My company offi- 
cers, however, did all they could to furnish me with 
the promised gun. My long experience as a bear- 
hunter in the Western wilderness had made me ex- 



246 FOUR YEARS 

pert with the rifle, and my desire to have a piece 
with which I could excel at sharp-shooting, if ever 
an opportunity offered, had become intense, and the 
organizing campaign against Yicksburg seemed to 
promise the desired opportunity. 

I went to Greneral Grrant and told him about the 
gun, and that I wished to purchase it and carry it. 
He asked me if I thought I could carry so valuable 
a piece without losing it. "I think I can," was my 
reply. 

*' You lose mules, do n't you ? " 

" Yes, but I ca})ture mules. I am several mules 
ahead of what the Government has furnished me 
now; but I can't capture Henry rifles." 

" Yery well ; tell Greneral McPherson to get you 
the rifle." 

I saw Greneral McPherson about it, and he gave 
me permission to purchase and carry it. 

It was a most beautiful piece, with steel barrel 
and chamber. The Captain who owned it was so 
much attached to it that he hated to part with it, 
but at last he yielded to my importunities, and sold 
me the rifle for sixty-five dollars, including what 
cartridges he had. 

My release from duty afl^orded me a splendid op- 
portunit}^ of practicing with it. I was perfectly de- 
lighted with its execution. Its accuracy and long 
range was a marvel compared with the best feats of 
marksmanship that I had seen among experienced 
hunters. 

A few days after I purchased the rifle, the grand 
move of the army against Yicksburg commenced. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 247 

Several gun-boats and transports had already rim 
the blockade of the formidable batteries that com- 
manded the river. It was on the 25tli day of April, 
1863, at 6 o'clock, A. M., that the 2d Brigade of 
General Logan's Division, to which I belonged, 
moved from Milliken's Bend. That night the divis- 
ion bivouaced at llichmond, and the following night 
at Smith's plantation. 

A heavy rain set in at the commencement of the 
march, which filled the ground and water-courses 
full of water, which made the roads across those 
rich alluvial bottoms extremely soft, and easily cut 
up by the artillery and supply wagons. From 
Smith's plantation to Perkins' plantation, eight miles 
below New Carthage, was only fifteen miles, but it 
took us two days to make the march. That march 
was really a '-'■tug of war ^ The horses and mules 
floundered in the mud. At times, it was with the 
greatest difficulty, after doubling the teams, that the 
artillery and wagons were extricated from tliose 
miry depths. The men, however, kept up an in- 
domitable good-will and courage, which carried us 
through. It was 9 o'clock, P. M., when we halted 
for the night, and at 12 o'clock, the same night, we 
started for Hard-Times Landing, situated a short 
distance above Grand Gulf, on the opposite side of 
the river. The march was made by way of Lake 
St. Joseph, and it was 4 o'clock, P. M., of the 29th, 
when we reached Hard-Times Landing. 

On the 1st of May we crossed the river to Bru- 
insburg. It was on that day that General Oster- 
haus' division and tAvo brigades of General Logan's 



248 FOUR YEARS 

division oaptiu-od Port Gibson. From that time until 
the 12th of May, tlic troops wore engaged in follow- 
ing \\\) the enemy and harasying him. Our general 
course of march was to the north-east, toward 
Jackson. 

On the 12th, Greneral Logan's division being in 
the advance, when within ten miles of Raynu)nd, 
the enemy, about r),()0() strong, including two bat- 
teries of artilhuy, uiuler command of General Gregg, 
was found adv^antageously posted, with the ai-tillery 
so arranged as to sweep the road and a bridge that 
it was necessary to pass. 

The division was formed in line preparatory to 
an attack, with the 2d Brigade, commanded by Brig- 
adier-General Dennis, on the left, occupying both 
sides of the I'oad ; the 1st Brigade, commanded by 
Brigadier-General John E. Smith, in the center, on 
the right of the 2(1 Brigade ; and the 3rd Brigade, 
commanded by Brigadier-General J. D. Stephenson, 
on the right, and the 8tli JNIichigan Battery, com- 
manded by Captain I)e Golyer, in the road near the 
bridge. 

As soon as the troops were m position, an ad- 
vance was commenced, and the battle opened with 
QTcat cneriiT. The roar of musketry was tremen- 
dous. On the left of the 1st 15rigade and the i-ight 
of the 2d Brigade the contest, was dreailfiil. The 
line had advanced to the ditch in which ran the lit- 
tle stream classed by the bridge. On the side of the 
ditch next to the enemy was a dense growth of under- 
brush ; behind that brush, not fifty yards distant, 
were the enemy. So heavily did the enemy press 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 249 

the left of the 1st Brigade, composed of the 23d In- 
diaiui and the 20th Illinois, that they were com- 
pelled to give back, but immediately rallied, sup- 
ported by the 81st Illinois. The giving back of the 
left of the 1st Brigade enabled the enemy to occupy a 
portion of the ditch, and exposed the 20th Ohio, oc- 
cupying the right of the 2d Brigade, to a most galling 
fire in its flank. At one time the regiment was nearly 
surrounded, but it gallantly held its ground, in spite 
of the terrible fire to which it was exposed, and not 
a man ot* the regiment fell back. 

» The 23d Indiana and 20th Illinois now made a 
dashing charge, and drove the enemy from the 
ground that they had lost. It was while gallantly 
leading his men on to victory that the brave Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Richards, of the 20tli Illinois, was 
killed. An attempt was made by the enemy to 
charge and capture the battery, but they were met 
by such a terrible fire of grape and canister, that 
they broke and fled from the field. Our troops im- 
mediately commenced a pursuit, and by 5 o'clock, 
P. M.,' were in possession of Raymond. 

The determined obstinacy with which the 20th 
Ohio, under the gallant Colonel Force, held its 
ground, added much to the brilliancy of the victory. 
Our loss was 69 killed, 341 wounded, and 30 miss- 
ing. The enemy's was 103 killed, and 720 wounded 
and prisoners, 2 cannon disabled, besides the loss of 
a quantity of small arms. 

In the morning of the 12th, after the column had 
commenced its line of march, General Grant sent 
me out to the right of the column, to ascertain 



250 FOUR YEARS 

whether a rebel force was coming up from below to 
intercept our line of march. 

After riding out about three miles, I saw, in the 
distance, a single horseman approaching. As I 
neared him, it proved to be a Mississippi planter, 
well advanced in years, armed with a Mississipjpi 
Yager, or rifle. 

"Whar be you gwine?" he asked, as we met. 

" I 'm gwine out to jine our forces and fight the 
Yankees to-day," I replied. 

*' So am I. I 'm jist gwine to turn up sixteen 
Yankee moccasins with this yer piece o' mine." 

" If I can kill six o' them thar Lincoln hirelings, 
I '11 be satisfied." 

" Well, I 'm gwine to kill sLxteen, now, sure." 

" Well, take care that they do n't git you. Is any 
of our forces out on this yer road ? " 

" Nq. I 've jist come eight miles without seeing 
any. They left for Raymond last night, an' they ar 
jist a gwine to kill the whole Lincoln army." 

"We had better go this way, then," said I, turn- 
ing back the way I had come. 

"I reckon we had," said the Mississippian. 

As we rode along, he kept up his boasting of how 
many Yanks he was gwine to turn up, little dream- 
ing whom he was addressing. Fortunately for me, 
the road on which the column was moving passed 
through a piece of woodland, so as to hide all move- 
ments of troops. When we came to it, the rear-guard 
of the 17tli Corps had passed along out of sight, and 
the advance of the corps next in line of march had 
not come up. As we turned into the right, where 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 251 

our troops had been passing, I caught sight of two 
Federal soldiers, sitting b}^ the roadside, who had 
fallen bat'k from their commands. Dropping a little 
to the rear, I drew my revolver and motioned to the 
soldiers to help me. I was a little afraid the old 
fellow would give me battle as soon as he discovered 
his mistake, and I wanted to make sure of him. 
The soldiers comprehended my meaning, and in- 
stantly leveled their pieces at him, which, discovering, 
he halted, and inquired, " Is them thar our forces?" 

" Never mind whose forces they are," said I, pre- 
senting my revolver; "you go right along." 

"I thought it was our forces," said the old man, 
quite crest-fallen at his discovery. 

" Come in there, old fellow! come in!" shouted the 
two soldiers. 

" Ride along, daddy, or those Yanks will bore you 
in a minute," said I. 

He took my advice, and rode up to the soldiers, 
where I made him turn his horse over to one of them 
and his rifle to the other, and then marched him on, 
• at a rapid pace, to overtake the command. 

We came in sight of our lines just as the first 
firing commenced in action at Raymond. As the 
musket reports became frequent, the old man's cour- 
age failed him, and he began to quiver and grow 
pale; and when the action became general, and the 
messengers of death came thick around us, his limbs 
could scarce support him, and he exclaimed, "My 
God ! is that a fight ? Won't we all be killed ? If 
I can only get out of this yer scrape, I '11 go home 
and behave myself! My God, I will ! " 



252 FOUR TEARS 

I turned the old man in with the first squad of 
prisoners that came back to the rear, and then re- 
ported to General Grant, who had a heaiiy laugh 
over the capture of the old Mississippian. I presume 
the old man often thinks of his attempt to turn up 
sixteen Yankee moccasins ! 

On the 13th we resumed our march for Jackson, 
by way of Clinton. On the 14th, about five miles 
from Jackson, the enemy's pickets were encountered, 
and driven back to within two and a half miles of 
the city. The enemy was under command of Gen- 
eral W. H. T. Walker, and occupied the top of a 
gradually ascending rise of ground, with a large 
open space in his front. Many of General Walker's 
troops were South Carolina and Georgia regiments, 
and had only arrived there from the east the night 
before. 

Preparations were now made to give the enemy 
battle. General Sherman's corps liad arrived at the 
same time, on another road, to the right. General 
Logan's division was placed in reserve. The 7th 
Division of McPherson's corps, commanded by Brig- 
adier-General Crocker, and part of General Sher- 
man's corps, were formed in close column, by division, 
to charge upon the enemy. In our having to cross 
the open field, in full view, the enemy had a decided 
advantage over us. When every thing was ready, 
the command was given to charge on a double-quick, 
and the columns moved forward. 

It was a sight that I shall never forget, when 
those thousands of brave boys, in perfect order, sw^pt 
across that field ! The rustle of garments, and the 



A SCOUT 'AND SPY. 253 

flapping of scabbards, cartridge-boxes, and canteens, 
to the tread of double-quick from that large body of 
soldiers, moving in close column, was like the roar 
of the tornado when it sweeps across the plain ! 

Opposed to them was a long line of Rebellion's 
choicest troops, pouring into them volley after volley 
of leaden hail. Still, on they went, without a waver! 
It was a terrible spectacle, and awfully grand ! Min- 
gled with the roar of the enemy's musketry was the 
crash of artillery from both sides. 

The charge swept on. Still the enemy held his 
ground, as if determined to withstand the charge, 
and a dreadful encounter seemed imminent. A line 
of fence in front of the enemy was reached, and it 
vanished like chaff in the wind before those solid 
columns of Western braves. With the crash of that 
fence went the enemy's lines, and the pride of South 
Carolina fled in dismay, followed by the veterans 
from Georgia, that had been stationed as reserves. 
Then went up such shouts of victory as only West-' 
ern lungs can accent. Volley after volley was fired 
at their retreating ranks, and pursuit kept up until 
they were driven be3^ond the city. In five ^ houre 
from the time the action commenced, the stars and 
stripes were proudly floating over the capitol of the 
State of Mississippi. 

Our loss was very light compared with that of the 
enemy — much lighter than it would have been, if 
the enemy had not overshot us while crossing the 
oj^en field. For the casualties of the battle, the 
reader is referred to the oflicial reports of the com- 
manding Generals. 



254 FOUR TEARS 

As the troops were going into Jackson, I asked 
General Grant if I might steal enough to make up 
for the field-glasses that the South Carolina General 
had taken from me, when I was there as a spy. 

"I can't instruct you to steal," said the General, 
" but I presume you can find something in Jackson 
of as much value to you as the field-glasses." 

The city had been so completely ransacked by the 
soldiers before I got in, that I failed to get pay for 
my glasses. 

On the 15th of May we marched west, toward 
Yicksburg, and on the 16th the enemy was . found 
in large force at Champion Hills, under command 
of Lieutenant-General Pemberton. He had moved 
his army out from Yicksburg to attack us. The posi- 
tion selected by the enemy was a strong one, on the 
summit of an elevation, or ridge of ground, with a 
line something like a crescent, the right and left of 
the line further advanced than the center. The face 
of the hill, in front of the enemy, was an open field, 
thereby exposing our lines to view as we advanced 
to the attack. The enemy's lines were in the skirts 
of a piece of woods that extended to his rear. 

Early in the day, the battle commenced, opening 
on our left, and extending gradually along to our 
right, until the whole line was engaged, when it 
raged with intense fury. General Hovey's division, 
on our left, from the much stronger position occupied 
by the enemy in its front, sufi^ered terribly ; but 
timely support arrived, and the enemy was driven 
back. An attempt was then made to crush our cen- 
ter, but made in vain. Support having arrived to 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 255 

the assistance of the center, a dashing charge was 
made and the enemy routed. 

It was a desperate and hard-fought battle, with a 
heavy loss on both sides, but that of the enemy was 
much the heaviest. Here, again, I must refer the 
reader to the official rej^orts for the casualties. It 
will not be amiss, perhaps, to give the reader some 
of my personal experience in that battle. 

When the action commenced, I was instructed by 
General Logan to keep to the right of each brigade 
of his division, as they successively arrived in posi- 
tion and became engaged, and to watch closely for 
any attempt at flank movement on the part of the 
enemy. M}^ first position was with the line of skir- 
mishers of the 2d Brigade. About the time our 
skirmishing commenced, a rebel courier was seen 
dashing along in a line nearly parallel to the line of 
skirmishers from the right, and about one hundred 
yards in advance of the line. When up with and in 
front of the line, he discovered us and wheeled to the 
right, and v^as dashing away at right angles with 
our line, when six of us brought our pieces to bear 
on him and fired. He fell from his horse, with one 
foot fastened in the stirrup. At that instant, the 
horse gave a leap over a log, and the dangling body 
struck the log and bounded into the air higher than 
the horse's back, and then struck the ground with a 
"thug" sufficient, to all api>earances, to have crushed 
every bone in his body, 

A few minutes later, I saw a rebel Major leading 
his regiment forward to charge upon one of our bat- 
teries. When I saw him he was not more than fifty 



256 FOUR YEARS 

yards distant. In an instant I brought my "re- 
peater" to my face, and while I was looking at the 
prominent point of his right-cheek bone, a ball took 
him .in the exact spot that I was looking at, and he 
tumbled from his horse. 

I now discovered that, instead of a regiment, a 
whole brio-ade was comino- and that our skirmishers 

CO O' 

had fallen back, and that I was in range between 
McAlister's Battery and the rebs. I started on a 
run, and fairly j^ew as I went ; but before I could get 
out of range, the battery opened on the rebs with 
double charges of grape and canister, which came 
howling and tearing the ground all about me. How 
I escaped instant death is a wonder to me. I suc- 
ceeded in getting out of the way before another round 
was fired, quite satisfied with my experience there. 

I then moved round much further to the right, 
and took with me a corporal of the 20th Ohio, by 
the name of Wm. Grrinnell, whom I found engaged in 
sharp-shooting. After reconnoitering a little, we 
discovered a rebel battery of eight guns, that kept 
up a harassing fire upon our lines. We succeeded 
in sheltering ourselves from view, in close rifle range 
of the guns, behind a large clump of bushes, and 
then commenced paying our respects to the gunners. 
We were doing "bully" execjition, and had fired 
ten or twelve shots apiece, when the rebs returned 
our compliments with a charge of canister that 
mowed the bushes all about us. The charge made 
such a terrible whizzing and howling, and came so 
suddenly and unexpectedly, that I involuntarily 
dropped to the ground. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 257 

"Are you hurt, Bunker?" called out the cor- 
poral. 

"No; are you?" 

" No ; but if we had stood anywhere else we should 
both have been killed." 

The ground was literally plowed up all about us. 

A few minutes late^, the 8th Illinois and 32d 
Ohio made a charge on the battery to capture it. As 
the line advanced, there became a strife between the 
two regiments which should reach it first and take 
possession. The officers and men of the 32d Ohio 
had been smarting under the false accusatii^n of 
" Harper's Ferry cowards," and had longed for an 
opportunity of retrieving their reputation. 

" Come on, boys ; we are ' Harper's Ferry cow- 
24'ds !' " shouted a Captain ; and the words were in- 
stantly repeated by the whole regiment, and with a 
dash they outstripped their Illinois rivals. As they 
raised the hill near the battery, a round of canister 
was fired at them, but, fortunately, it was aimed too 
high to do much injury. The rebs then broke and 
run, leaving six of their guns to fall into the hands 
of the 32d Ohio. Major-General Logan complimented 
the regiment highly for its gallantry, and allowed 
Company F to retain the guns and serve them. 
That company was originally recruited as an artillery 
company. 

On the 17th of May we resumed our march, and 
on the 18th we crossed Black lliver, and on the llith 
our lines extended around Vicksburg, from the river 
above to the river below, occupying a line of about 
seven miles in length. 
17 



258 FOUE YEARS 

Major-General Sherman's corps occupied the right, 
Major-General McPherson's the center, and Major- 
General M' demand's the left. Then began the siege 
of Vicksburg. 

Up to the commencement of the siege, the troops 
had marched over two hundred miles and taken 
part in five distinct battles, and accomplished it in 
twenty-five days; and a large portion of that time 
they had been without rations, except such as they 
foraged from the country. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 2$9 



/ CHAPTER XXII. 

First sharp-shooting at Vicksburg — Silences two guns — The rifle- 
pit — Shoots a Carolinian — The Carolinian's comrad — Outshoots 
a squad of sixteen — The defiant rebel — Shoots for General Mc- 
Pherson and General Logan — Beats the Parrot rifles — Joke on 
the Adjutant-General — Visit to Admiral Porter — The French 
spy — The disclosures — Capture of a rebel dispatch — The fate 
of the spy. 

I SHALL not attempt to give the reader a detailed 
history of the siege of Vicksburg, but shall confine 
myself to incidents in my own experience during 
the siege. 

The country lying about the city of Vicksburg is 
of a very peculiar formation — very hilly and ex- 
tremely broken. It consists of threads, or narrow 
ridges, with deep ravines between, running in every 
direction, with spurs or smaller ridges putting out 
from them. 

The lines occupied by the two contending armies 
were a succession of those ridges, with a general 
course nearly parallel, but at unequal distances 
apart, forming an irregular circuit about the city 
from the river above to the river below. 

The next day after the regiment to which I be- 
long moved into its position at the rear of Vicks- 
burg, two pieces of the enemy's artillery opened a 
very annoying fire upon it with shell. The men 



260 FOUR YEARS 

were under the necessity of laying flat on the ground, 
behind the ridge, for protection, and even then were 
in great danger from the explosion of the shells. I 
went to Colonel Force and asked him if I might go 
and try my hand at silencing the guns with my 
rifle. 

He said, "Yes; but you must be very careful, for 
the shells are coming very low." 

I started out, and made my way along under 
cover of the ridge on which we lay, until I came to 
one of the spurs mentioned, that approached much 
nearer to the enemy's works than did the ridge oc- 
cupied by the regiment. From that I succeeded in 
getting a good view of the guns that were shelling us. 
In front of me was a dry oak log, and underneath 
it I dug out a hole that enabled me to shoot under it, 
and the log prevented the enemy from seeing me. 

As soon as I had become fixed in my position, I 
commenced to pick ofP the gunners. I succeeded 
so well that only two shells were fired after I took 
my position. Several inefi^ectual attempts were 
made to load the guns, but the moment a gunner 
stepped up to fill the place of his fallen comrade, I 
picked him off, and, finally, the guns were aban- 
doned, and the bodies of those that had fallen left 
where they fell. 

My success seemed incredible. To put it beyond 
a doubt, I concluded to go back and get some ofiicer 
to come and see what execution I had done. I went 
back to the regiment, where I found Colonel Force. 
I said to him, "Colonel, I have silenced those two 
guns that were shelling us." 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 2dl 

"I see they have n't fired much since you left," 

"How many did they fire after I went away?" 

"Only two or three, I believe." 

" Well, now, Colonel, for my credit, please to go 
over with me where I have been at work, and see 
what I have been doing." 

"Really, I don't know as I ought to leave here 
a moment, but I want to learn the lay of the ground, 
and I do n't care if I go." 

He folloAved along behind me to where I had 
been at work, and then commenced looking with his 
glasses. 

"See there! see — see — see that man leading that 
horse yonder!" "Do you see him?" said he. 

"Yes." 

"Well, try^im a pull." 

" Do n't get me excited, Colonel, but watch the 
man." 

" Crack ! " went my rifle. 

"I declare!" said the Colonel, "that's — that's a 
valuable piece! Excuse me, I must go back." 

Rifle-trenches were immediately dug on the 
ridges of ground nearest the enemy's works, and in 
them were stationed sharp-shooters, who kept up a 
constant fire, night and day, which answered as a 
cover for our fatigue parties engaged in digging ap- 
proaches to his works, and also prevented him from 
doing much execution with his artillery. Our ar- 
tillery was not idle but kept up a fire from some 
part of the line at all hours of the day and night. 

A few days after the siege was fairly in operation, 
General Logan asked me to go out, at night, to an 



262 FOUR TEARS 

elevated spot of ground between our rifle-trenches 
and the enemy's, on which stood a large stump, and 
dig myself a pit behind the stump and see if I 
could pick oif some of the rebel sharp-shooters. 

As soon as it was dark, I took a spade and a can- 
teen of water and went over. The spot was not 
more than fifty yards from the enemy's trenches. 
During the night, I dug myself a pit large enough 
so that I could squat down in it. When daylight 
came, I found that I had an excellent view of the 
enemy's trenches, without being seen myself. I 
worked out a little hole underneath one of the roots 
of the stump, and through that I did my shooting. 
Toward the middle of the day the sun shone down 
excessively hot, and I had nothing to shade me from 
its burning rays. My pit was not large enough for 
comfort, and, besides, I had neglected to take any 
rations with me. My supply of water also gave out, 
and by noon my position seemed almost unbearable. 
To leave it in daylight would be certain death. I 
bore my situation as well as I could, and improved 
it to the best advantage. During the day I had 
several fair shots, which I improved, and did good 
execution. 

About 2 o'clock in the afternoon, a rebel sharp- 
shooter (whom, from his dress, I took to be a Caro- 
linian) undertook to crawl up to the top of their 
earth-works, behind a stump that hid him from the 
view of our sharp-shooters, that he might be enabled 
to get a shot at them. He crawled along, with his gun 
in his right hand, till near the spot, and then took 
off his big-brimmed hat and turned his head up 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 263 

sideways to look around the side of the stump at 
our sharp-shooters. My position to him was such 
that I could see every movement that he made. 
He evidently did not know where I was. While 
his head was turned up my gun cracked, and his 
feet flew straight behind him. 

A comrade of his then undertook to crawl up and 
drag him away. When he was about ready to grasp 
the dead man by the legs, my gun again cracked, and 
he rolled over on his back near his comrade. Both 
of them remained there until dark, without any at- 
tempt being made to remove them. 

As soon as it was dark I made my way back to 
my quarters, well satisfied with my experience in an 
advanced rifle-pit. 

Not many days after the foregoing incident, I was 
passing along the intrenchments, when I found a 
squad of sixteen men, part of them of the 23d In- 
diana Regiment, and the rest from the 45th Illinois, 
engaged in sharp-shooting. They saw me passing 
with my rifle, and, having heard of its long range 
and accuracy, called me, and expressed a desire to 
have me try it on a fellow that they had been shoot- 
ing at for about two hours, but without success. 

The fellow that they had been shooting at was 
engaged in digging a rifle-pit in advance of the 
enemy's intrenchments, and while digging he was 
exposed to full view. 

I asked the boys what distance they had been 
shooting, and they informed me that they had been 
trying him at a range of nine hundred yards, and 
had succeeded in hitting the dirt about him. I raised 



264 FOUR YEARS 

fhe sight of my rifle to nine hundred yards, and 
then requested the squad to cease firing for a few 
minutes, and let the smoke clear away, and then to 
watch where my ball struck. As soon as the at- 
mosphere was clear of smoke, and every thing quiet, 
I leveled my piece and fired. 

"You've hit him! you've hit him!" exclaimed 
several. 

The fellow straightened up, whirled about, as if 
angry, and flung his shovel from him as far as he 
could, and then sat down. In about a minute after he 
began gradually to throw up his hands, and then fell 
over backward on the ground, evidently dead, where 
he remained, as he had fallen, during the rest of the 
day. The next morning his body had been removed. 

On another occasion, two companies of the 20th 
Ohio were engaged at digging in the approaches to 
the rebel Fort Hill, and were subjected to a very 
annoying fire from a squad of about fifteen rebel 
sharp-shooters, stationed in a ditch, not accessible, 
at that time, to our artillery. 

I was sent for, and requested to bring my rifle 
and see if I could silence them. A place had been 
fixed for me near where the companies were at work, 
considerably in advance of any other sharp-shooter. 
I worked a long time at them, during which time I 
hit several. After awhile there was but one to be 
seen; the rest had either been disabled or so badly 
frightened as to have laid down in the bottom of 
the ditch for safety. I kept up a fire at the single 
individual for some time. My balls would strike 
the ground close to him, and then he would swing 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 265 

his hat in defiance or return my shot. Twice he 
put his balls within an inch of my head; once a 
sliver from the timber under which I shot was 
knocked oif and struck me on the head, hurting me 
considerably. Another ball hit a bayonet that I had 
placed in the dirt to rest my rifle upon, and, glancing 
upward, just missed my head. 

A Lieutenant came along, and I told him what I 
had been doing. He got upon the earth-works where 
I was, and, seeing the defiant rebel, asked me to 
let him try his hand at him. He fired several shots, 
but with no better success than I had had. 

By that time it was nearly night, and I had fired 
at the squad forty-eight shots, so I concluded to give 
up the shooting of the defiant man as a bad job. 

The next day the ditch was unoccupied ; the ex- 
perience of the day before had evidently satisfied 
them. 

On another occasion, while I was engaged in sharp- 
shooting, Greneral McPherson and G-eneral Logan 
came into the fortifications, and were watching a 
part}^ of ten or twelve rebels engaged in digging 
a ditch. They called me, and General McPherson 
said : 

"Bunker, can you shoot into that ditch yonder, 
where those men are at work? They have been 
shooting at them with the Parrot rifles, and have n't 
thrown any shot in there yet." 

"Yes, f think I can." 

"Well, try it." 

I raised my sight to one thousand yards, and 
fired at the ditch. 



266 FOUR YEARS 

" There ! " said McPherson, looking through his 
glasses, "you've hit one of them!" 

"By Gr — d ! they are carrying out one!" said 
Logan, looking with his glasses. 

" Try it again," said McPherson. 

I did try. I tired two more shots into the ditch, 
and the whole squad ran out and left it. 

A few days afterward, I chanced to meet General 
McPherson, who asked me how my ammunition 
held out. I told him that it was nearly all gone. 

"Well, Bunker," said he, " come over to my tent 
day after to-morrow, and I will try to have some 
on hand for you. I think that I can keep you sup- 
plied." 

In the morning of the day agreed upon, I went 
over to General McPherson's tent. He was absent; 

but Colonel , Assistant Adjutant-General, was 

there, who, as soon as I entered, inquired of me 
what I wanted. 

"I want to see General McPherson." 

" What do you want of General McPherson ? " 

"I want to see him about some ammunition." 

"Who are you?" 

"I am an Arkansas school-master." 

"What kind of ammunition do you want?" 

" Cartridges for one of Henry's repeating rifles." 

" Well, this a'n't the place to get ammunition. 
Go to the ordnance officer, and see if you can't get 
it of him." 

I did as I was directed, but found no cartridges. 
I returned to the tent, and said to him, "Colonel, 
that officer did n't have any cartridges." 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 267 

" Are you a soldier ? " 

" Yes, sir, I 'm a soldier." 

" Well, you had better go to your quarters." 

*' Oh, yes, I '11 go to my quarters ! I 'd like to see 
Greneral McPherson first, though ; he told me to 
come here. Have n't you got some whisky, that 
you can give me two or three hundred swallows 
before I go?"~ 

" Yes , I '11 give you some whisky if you '11 leave 
and go to your quarters." 

" Oh, yes, I '11 go to my quarters if you '11 give 
me some whisky ! " 

He turned me out enough for three drinks, to 
spite me, I suppose, for my impudence in asking him 
for it, and I deliberately drank it all down. "Thank 
you!" said I, and went out. Before I had got out 
of hearing, General McPherson entered, and I heard 
some one tell him that there was a man just in to 
see him, and that he had stepped out. The General 
came out and called me back. 

"Well, Bunker," said he, "I haven't got those 
cartridges yet ; but you go over to General Grant's 
head-quarters, and tell his Chief-of-Stafi^ that I sent 
you over to get some cartridges for your rifle. He 
has got a rifle of that kind, and I presume that he 
has got some cartridges." 

" Well, I '11 go and see. But it 's a pretty warm 
morning. General, and I hate to come all the way 
up here for nothing. I think your Adjutant-General 
has got some pretty good whisky in there; can't 
you induce him to give me a drink before I go 
back?" 



268 POUR TEARS 

" Yes ! Adjutant, give Bunker two or three hun- 
dred swallows of whisky ! " 

The Adjutant-Greneral looked at me and then at 
General McPherson, as if about to say that I had 
just had some, and then, as if recollecting that it was 
military to obey orders without questioning them, 
turned me out a large tumhlerfuly which I drank, 
and then went out. 

By the time I had reached my quarters, my 
physical nature was so much under the influence of 
the "spiritual," that I deferred my visit to General 
Grant's head-quarters until the next morning. 

In the morning, early, . I went over to General 
Grant's head-quarters, and told him that General 
McPherson had sent me there to see if I could get 
some ammunition for my rifle from his Chief-of- 
Staff. He told me that his Chief-of-Staff had gone 
to St. Louis, and had taken his rifle with him. 

" Do you know of any body that has got any of 
that kind of cartridges?" I inquired. 

"I think," said the General, "that Admiral 
Porter has got ammunition of that kind, and I will 
give you a request to carry to him, and you may go 
and see him about it. 

He wrote a note for me to hand to Admiral Porter, 
and commenced to write me a pass, but was inter- 
rupted by some business, so he handed me the note, 
and told me to step over to the Provost-marshal 
and ask him to write me a pass. 

I did so ; but, being a stranger to him, he did not 
know that I was a soldier, and the pass that I re- 
ceived read as follows : 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 269 

" Head-quarters Dep't op the Tennessee, ) 
" Rear op Vicksburg, Miss., June — , 1863. ) 

*' Lorain Ruggles, a citizen of the South, has leave to visit 
Admiral Porter's flag-ship and return with a gun. 



^^Provost-marshal." 

I took my rifle and went to Chickasaw Landing, on 
the Yazoo river, where I succeeded in getting on board 
the steamer Diligent, a dispatch-boat, as she went 
down to the gun-boats with dispatches. The flag- 
ship, at that time, lay in the Mississippi River, a 
short distance above Vicksburg. 

I found the Admiral, and handed him the note 
from General G-rant, which he read; and then, 
giving me a searching look from head to foot, he said: 

"Well, Mr. Scout, you want some ammunition 
for your rifle ; but I do n't keep any such trifling 
guns about me, and, consequently, I have got none 
of that kind of ammunition." 

"Look 'e here, Mr. Admiral," said I; "that gun 
a'n't so small a trifle as you imagine. I can kill a 
reb. with it at a distance of nine hundred yards, and 
I can outshoot the Parrot rifles ! " 

"Ah, you can't commence with my guns ! They 
are better than that. Orderly, go down and bring 
up one of my favorites." 

The orderly soon returned with a beautiful Spencer 
rifle. "There," said the Admiral, handing me the 
gun ; "how do you like the looks of that ?" 

I took it and examined it carefully all over. It 
was a seven-shooter, with a bayonet, and every part of 
it most beautifully finished. It suited me to a charm. 



270 FOUR YEARS 

"Well, inasmuch as I liave got no cartridges for 
my gun, how will you trade guns with me?" 

" I can't part with that gun ; you might as well 
try to get my wife as that gun ! " 

He then told me that if Greneral Grant wanted 
I should have one, he would get one like it for me. 
I told him that I could not carry two guns, and that 
I did not want one unless I could trade him mine. 
He promised, however, to make an eifort to get me 
some cartridges. By this time the dispatch-boat 
was ready to return, and I went back to Chickasaw 
Landing. 

On my arrival at the landing, I met a little 
Frenchman, whom I had frequently seen in Mem- 
phis, and at the camps about there, and I had for 
some time suspected that he was a Confederate spy. 

I first saw him in the camps of the 20th, 78th, 
and 68th Ohio, and the 23d Indiana regiments, en- 
gaged in buying Confederate money of the soldiers. 
At that time he wore very long hair, and was 
dressed like a citizen; but on this occasion his hair 
was cut short, and he was dressed like a clerk about 
some head-quarters. 

I saw him several times at Memphis, while I was 
under the assumed character of a rebel Major. He 
had never seen me in any other dress than that of 
a citizen. 

I expressed delight at meeting him, shook hands 
with him, and inquired about his health, etc. 

"Who are you to work for now?" he inquired. 

" For General Johnston." 

"Are you? So am II" 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 271 

"What news have you got?" 

" Nothing new. Have 3^011 any news ? " 

" 'No, not at present. Come, let us go over to the 
steamer Arago and get something to drink before 
we separate. There is an old friend of ours that is 
commissary clerk aboard of her. He used to live 
in Holly Springs, Miss., and, when we were in Mem- 
phis last winter, he was there engaged in buying 
mules and smuggling them through the Yankee lines 
to sell. Let us go over and see him." 

The Frenchman accompanied me on board the 
steamboat, and there we found the clerk I had told 
him about, who took us to the bar and got us some- 
thing to drink. He also induced the barkeeper to 
sell me a canteen of whisky, as a favor to a special 
friend. 

Having procured the whisky, I prevailed upon 
the Frenchman to accomj)any me, and we went up 
the bank of the river to a secluded place, where we 
sat down to enjoy ourselves. 

My companion seemed to relish the whisky much 
better than I did, and its effects soon made hirti 
very communicative, so that I was enabled to draw 
out a great deal of information concerning his busi- 
ness as a spy. He told me that he was engaged in 
getting dispatches through the Federal lines at 
Vicksburg to Generals Johnston and Pemberton. 

During his visits to the Federal camps at Mem- 
phis, to purchase Confederate money, he had noted 
down the names of the officers in the different regi- 
iments, and the companies to which they belonged. 

With that knowledge, whenever he wanted to get 



272 FOUR YEARS 

from Chickasaw Landing into our lines, he would go 
to the Provost-marshal and represent himself as be- 
longing to Captain such-a-one's company, in such a 
regiment, on detached service, and get a pass to visit 
his regiment, and with it he could pass our lines. 

The dispatches of General Johnston were brought 
across the country, by cavalry, to a point on the 
Yazoo River above Haines' Bluff. There the spy 
received them, and crossed over to the opposite side 
of the river, and then came down the river opposite 
to Snyder's Bluff; there he would manage to cross at 
night in a canoe, and land inside of our lines, without 
being seen. There he would get on board a dispatch- 
boat and come down to Chickasaw Landing, and 
there he would procure a pass, as I have explained. 
From there he would go to Mr. Smith's, who lived 
between the picket lines at the landing and the troops 
at the rear of Vicksburg. 

He would give the dispatches to Mr. Smith's 
daughter, and she would give them to a servant of 
hers, a smart, intelligent colored boy, rather small of 
his age, who would carry them to the river above 
Vicksburg. He described to me the route the col- 
ored boy would take to get to the river. 

At the river, the colored boy would give them to. 
a fisherman, who staid there, and was engaged in 
catching fish and selling them to the gun-boatmen 
and the soldiers. The fisherman had lost a hand 
while in the rebel army, in the battle of Shiloh, and 
had been discharged. 

He had represented to Admiral Porter that he 
had belonged to the Federal army, and had been 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 278 

wounded, as before stated, and discharged, and had 
succeeded in getting jDermission from him to fish in 
the river and visit his lines at all hours of the night. 
He had managed to make himself a favorite at th® 
picket-post near the river, and his frequent visits 
to his lines near the post, at all hours of the daj 
and night, had ceased to excite any suspicioti what- 
ever. 

The fisherman would take the dispatches, and at 
night, while visiting his lines, pass the pickets, and 
carry them to the rebel pickets and then return. 

In the same channel. General I^emberton's dis- 
patches went out. How long communication had 
been kept up in that way I did not learn. 

After having drank the most of the whisky, we 
returned to the landing and separated. I went to 
the Provost-marshal, and told him that there was 
one of General Johnston's spies there, and requested 
him to send some guards and arrest him. 

"Are you a soldier? " he inquired. 

"Yes!" 

" Whe.re did you come from ? " 

^'Admiral Porter's flag-ship." 

" Have you got a pass ? " 

"Yes!" 

" Let me see it." 

I handed it to him, and he commenced reading, 
"Lorain Ruggles, a citizen of the South" — "You 
go to h — 1!" he exclaimed. ^^ You cCnH any better 
than the rest of tliemV* 

I went out and found that the Frenchman wa« 
just stepping on board the dispatch-boat Diligent, 
18 



274 FOUR YEARS 

and in a" moment more the boat was under way for 
Snyder's Bluff. 

I reported to General Grant the information that 
I had received, and then asked him if I might kill 
the spy wherever I found him. He told me to do 
with him just as I thought proper, under the cir- 
cumstances, and that the military authorities should 
not hurt me for it. 

In two days after, the colored boy was captured, 
and a dispatch from General Johnston found on his 
person. About the same time the fishing arrange- 
ment at the river was broken up. I can also assure 
the reader that the little Frenchman, though never 
arrested, will never buy any more Confederate money 
nor carry any more rebel dispatches. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 275 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

Sent for by General Grrant — Instructions^— Crosses Black River — 
Is captured by rebel cavalry — Sent to General DeVieu — The 
interview — Passes as Johnston's spy — The attempt to escape — 
The pursuit — Fired at by Federal pickets — Again fired at by 
the enemy — The pursuers driven back — Again fired at by Fed- 
eral pickets — The alarm — Reports to General Osterhaus — Re- 
ports to General Grant. 

While the siege was progressing, General John- 
ston was engaged in concentrating a hirge Confederate 
force, to attack General Grant in the rear and force 
him to raise the siege of Vicksburg, and thereby re- 
lieve General Pemberton and his forces. 

General Grant, in the mean time, had been con- 
siderably reinforced, and had formed a line of defense 
from the Black River bridge north-west along Clear 
and Bear Creeks, across to the Yazoo River at 
Haines' Bluff, and a heavy force was stationed along 
that line to resist any attempt on the part of the 
enemy to raise the siege. 

The difficulty of rapidly crossing Black River with 
a large force below the bridge, rendered it nece3sary 
to keep a force stationed on the line running from the 
bridge to the Mississippi River below Vicksburg; 
for the enemy, once across, would run a very poor 



276 rOUR YEARS 

chance of recrossing without destruction. A constant 
watch was kept up by our scouts, however, to see 
whether the enemy would attempt to cross there. 

Some time toward the latter part of June, Greneral 
Grant sent for me, and requested me to make a trip 
across Black River, and find out whether the enemy 
was making any attempt or movement indicative of 
crossing. 

I was instructed to cross at the bridge, through Gen- 
eral Osterhaus' lines, and take the road to Fifteeen- 
mile Creek, and, if I met with nothing to prevent, 
to go on to the creek and remain there two days, 
and at the end of that time return. If I discovered 
any movement of importance while on my way, I was 
to report it immediately. 

The General cautioned me not to go inside of the 
enemy's lines, because it was a critical time, and if 
I did I would probably lose my life. He told me 
that several scouts had been sent out for the same 
purpose, and that none of them agreed in their re- 
ports. He told me that he was extremely anxious 
to know what the enemy was doing there, and what 
were his intentions, and charged me to be very cau- 
tious, so that I might return. 

I was handed an order to General Osterhaus, to 
the effect that I was to be passed out of his lines, 
and when I returned I was to be immediately sent 
to General Osterhaus, under guard, and whatever I 
reported to him was to be immediately telegraphed 
to General Grant. 

I carried the order to General Osterhaus, at Black 
River, who, when he had read it, sent me, under 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 277 

guard, to the picket line, with instructions to the 
officer in command of the pickets to pass me 
out. The picket line was on the east side of the 
river. 

As I left the river, I was very particular to notice 
minutely the roads and fences and the features of 
the ground. About a mile from the bridge, on the 
road that leads to Edwards' Station, the Fifteen- 
mile Creek road turns oif to the right. At tke cor- 
ners of the road the reserve pickets were stationed. 
About a quarter of a mile from the reserve, the road 
turns square to the left, and, at a distance of about 
one hundred yards further on, it turns back again 
square to the right. At that point the vedettes were 
stationed. On the left-hand side of the road, going 
out from the reserve to the vedettes, was a hedge 
fence. From the vedettes, in a straight line across to 
the reserve, was an open field, and the fence had 
been torn down or removed to allow the cavalry a 
chance to charge across it, if necessary. 

Before leaving the pickets, I told the Lieutenant 
in command of the guards that I should not come 
back that night, unless I was driven back, and that 
if I came back I should come on the run, and that 
I would have no gun in my hands, nor any thing else 
that might be taken for one. I also requested him 
to describe to each man in person, as he took his 
post as vedette, my dress, so that there could be no 
mistake about who I was and no cause for firing 
into me. The Lieutenant instructed his men as I 
requested him ; and besides, I found that several of 
them knew me, which very much relieved my fears 



278 FOUR YEARS 

about being fired at. I was on foot and dressed like 
a citizen. 

Supposing that I had made all the necessary ar- 
rangements for my safety in case I was driven back, 
I started out. About half a mile from the vedettes, 
the road crossed a low piece of ground, and had been 
filled in with brush and rails, while wet, to keep 
wagons from miring, but the dry weather had dried 
^ up the mud and left the rails and brush bare, rend- 
ering it extremely difficult to cross without making a 
great deal of noise. 

I had gone but a short distance after crossing it, 
when I heard a cracking of brush behind me, and 
turned to see what it was. The reader can judge 
my surprise when I saw, in the road behind me, 
fourteen rebel cavalry. I was ordered to halt, which 
I did, and they, at the same time, dismounted. 

There I was, captured almost within sight of our 
own pickets. It was no time to show timidity, so I 
resolved, upon a bold expedient. 

"Who are you? " said one of the cavalry. 

" I am a Confederate soldier." 

" Have you got a pass ? " 

"No, sir." 

"What are vou doino; here ?" 

" Gentlemen, I do n't know as this is any of your 
business. I am a Confederate soldier, and I have 
business here, and all that you have to do is to send 
me, under guard, to general head-quarters." 

. One of the men, seemingly commander of the squad 
— I could not tell whether an officer or a jirivate — 
ordered two of the men to take me to Gen. DeVieu. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 279 

They took me on in the same direction that I had 
been traveling. Not a word was exchanged between 
us on the way. I watched narrowly every feature 
of the road and the country as we went, determined, 
if possible, to make my way back that night. 

About five miles from where I was captured, and 
nearly seven miles from Black River bridge, we 
came to General DeVieu's head-quarters. They 
were situated near the crossing of the roads, where 
the road from Baldwin's Ferry (below Black River 
bridge) to Edwards' Station crosses the one that I 
was on. 

When we arrived at General DeVieu's quarters, 
one of the guards went in, and I heard him say to 
the General, " We have got a man out there that we 
captured close to the Yankee lines, without a pass, 
and he says that he is a Confederate soldier. We 
could not find out his business, but he told us to 
bring him to you, and we have done so." 

" Well, have him come in," said the General. 

The guard came out, and told me to go in. As I 
entered, I took off my hat, and, saluting him, I 
looked him in the face with as much composure as 
though I had been his commanding officer. 

"Where have you been?" he inquired. 

" I have been inside of the Yankee lines about 
Vicksburg." 

" Where do you belong?" 

*' I belong to General Price's army." 

" What were you doing here?" 

" I am now under orders from General Johnston 
to reconnoiter thoroughly about the Yankee lines at 



380 FOUR YEARS 

Vicksburg. I have done so, and I am now on my 
way to report to General Johnston." 

" Have you got any pass, or any papers to show 
that?" 

" No, sir, I have n't got the scratch of a pen 
about me; but. General, if you will go with me to 
General, Johnston's Adjutant-General I can show you 
papers in his office that will tell you who I am 
and what my business is." 

" What is your name ? " 

" Lorain Ruggles, sir ; I am a brother to General 
Ruggles." 

"Ah! A brother of General Ruggles!" 

"Yes, sir." 

" Well, what is the news about Vicksburg ? " 

" General, if you insist upon it, I shall have to 
tell you, because you are my superior officer, but my 
instructions from General Johnston were to recon- 
noiter thoroughly, and get all the information that I 
could, and then to report to him and to Mm only, and 
I reckon that he '11 not like to have me report to 
any body else." 

"Ah! I beg your pardon, Mr. Ruggles. Excuse 
me ! I do n't want you to violate your instructions. 
I won't ask you any further questions about it. Do 
you wish to go right on to General Johnston's head- 
quarters ? " ^ 

" General, I have been considerably exposed, and 
a little short of rations for several days, and have 
traveled about on foot a great deal, and am very 
much fatigued ; and if it would be agreeable to your 
good will and pleasure, I would like to remain in 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 281 

your brigade over night, and then go out to General 
Johnston's head-quarters to-morrow." 

" Very well, you can stay ; any of those orderlies 
out there will give you something to eat. I shall 
send two men out to head-quarters in the morning, 
and, if you like, you can go with them." 

" Thank you. General ; I shall be very glad of 
company ! " 

It Avas about 2 o'clock in the afternoon when I 
arrived there. The orderlies gave me some dinner 
and also some supper. I improved my time, in con- 
versation with the officers and men, in picking up 
information. 

The force stationed there was a brigade of Texas 
cavalry, about 1,200 strong. Their business was to 
w^atch the Baldwin's Ferry road for any attempt of 
General Grant's forces to cross and get to the rear 
of General Johnston. 

The brigade was destitute of tents, except six at 
he(,id-quarters, and the men slept at night without 
shelter. 

About 9 o'clock in the evening, I laid down on a 
pile of corn 'in the husk, in company with a lot of 
soldiers, and feigned to be asleep. I reflected upon 
my situation, and of the best means of making my 
escape. I was satisfied that it would be dangerous 
for me to wait till morning and start with the 
orderlies for General Johnston's head-quarters. No 
suspicion had as yet been excited. The soldiers 
were all asleep, and the whole camp was quiet. 
About midnight I got up, as if to relieve the neces- 
sities of nature, and went to a piece of woods about 



282 FOUR YEARS 

a hundred yards distant, and returned. My move- 
ments did not seem to have disturbed any one. The 
moon shone brightly, and the night was very light. 
The moon had not yet reached its meridian, but 
made a long shadow on the ground. I again laid 
down upon the corn-pile, where I lay until 2 o'clock, 
when I arose. The moon was then favorable and 
made but a short shadow, and every thing was quiet. 
I again visited the woods. 

As I entered, I looked back and all was quiet. 
As the guards brought me in, I had noticed that 
there was but one picket-post in the direction that I 
wished to return, and that one was stationed in the 
road about half a mile from the rebel camp. I 
resolved to try an escape at all hazards. 

I made a detour large enough to insure safety 
from the pickets, moving forward as rapidly as pos- 
sible through the brush, without making any noise, 
until I gained the road that I had come out on, and 
then I sped along as fast as I could run. 

I had on light shoes, and made very little noise 
as I went, and avoided stepping upon any thing that 
would make any disturbance. 

When I reached the place in the road filled with 
rails and brush, near where I had been captured, I 
slackened my pace, and walked carefuHy across it. 
I had become tired from running so fiir; my close 
proximity to our own pickets considerably relieved 
my fears, and I moved along more leisurely than I 
had done. 

When about two hundred yards from the bad 
place in the road, I was startled by the sound of 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 283 

horses crossing it. I looked back, and there came a 
squad of twelve or fourteen cavalry, as fast as their 
horses could run. 

I dashed ahead at the top of my speed, when, 
within about one hundred yards of our pickets, 
"Bang! bang! bang!" went their pieces. 

"jPc/r GocVs sake, donH shoot! It '5 me!^^ I shouted. 

"Bang I bang ! " went the carbines of my pursuers. 
The vedettes ran for the reserve. I ftiirly flew 
along, and the rebs after me, gaining rapidly. I 
kept straight after the vedettes till I had entered 
the field past the hedge fence ; then I turned and 
followed it a few steps, and then plunged through it 
and crawled along on my hands and knees some 
distance in the weeds and grass by the side of it. 

My pursuers dashed on across the field, firing at 
the vedettes as they went. The reserve was imme- 
diately in saddle, and returned the fire of the enemy. 
The chase now turned the other way, and the rebs 
were pursued by our i:>ickets. 

I kept on making a detour around to the rear of 
the reserve i:)ost before coming up, lest, from the 
confusion *ind excitement, I should again be fired at. 
Nearly all the reserve had joined in the chase, and 
but three or four men remained on the post. 

As I came up to the rear of them, without any 
challenge to halt, "Bang! bang!" went their pieces. 

^''What in hell and d — nation are you doing ^'''' I 
shouted. "You are determined to shoot me!" 

"That's Bunker!" said one. 

"No, by G — d, it a'n't!" said another, bringing 
his piece to a ready. 



284 POUR YEARS 

^^For Chrisfs sake,'^ I shouted, ^^ do n't shoot again! 
Are you determined to kill me ?" 

"Don't shoot! It is Bunker!" said the others. 
By this time they were convinced who it was, and 
ajlowed me to come up. 

The ahirm did not stop with the pickets, but ex- 
tended across the river. An entire brigade turned 
out under arms, and orders were dispatched all 
along the lines to be in readiness to repel an attack 
from General Johnston. 

I requested to be immediately sent to General 
Osterhaus, under guard, agreeable to General Grant's 
instructions ; but the Lieutenant refused to let me 
go until daylight, and then sent me in without guard. 

I reported to General Osterhaus, and explained to 
him where the rebel force was camped, and also its 
strength and what it was there for. 

"Vare you stshay they are? On the Baldwin's 
Ferry road?" inquired the General. 

" No ; they are on the Fifteen-mile Creek road, 
near the crossing of the Edwards' Station and Bald- 
win's Ferry road." 

"Veil, dat ish vot I stshay! On the Baldwin's 
Ferry road!" 

I then marked out the position for him, and ex- 
plained it, and still he insisted. 

" Veil, dat ish A^ot I stshay ! On the Baldwin's 
Ferry Road!" 

He then telegraphed to General Grant as he 
understood it, and received, in reply, orders for me 
to return immediately. 

I rej^orted in person to General Grant, and told 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 285 

him the difficulty that I experienced in making 
General Osterhaus understand me. Ho replied, "I 
thought he did not understand you, so I ordered you 
back. 

After explaining to the General the position, 
strength, and object of the enemy, he asked me if I 
was sure of that fact. I told him that I was, and 
that time would show whether I told him the truth 
or not. He then said that he would rest satisfied ; 
so I returned to my quarters. The confidence he 
placed in my reports amply paid me for the danger 
that I had encountered. General Grant always paid 
his scouts well whenever they had done any thing 
deserving of special compensation. To pay me for 
this trip, soon after the Vicksbift-g campaign eaded, 
General Grant gave me two hundred dollars and a 
furlough for thirty days. 



^ 



286 FOUR YEARS 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

Visit to Chickasaw Landing — Surrender of Vicksburg — Visit to 
tlie city — The paroled Major — The Yankee trick — Returns to 
Vicksburg — Made detective — Is sent to Y;hzoo City — Attends a 
guerrilla organization — Makes them a speech — Returns to Vicks- 
burg. 

OiST the 3d day of July, I again went to General 
Grant to see if lie had found out where I could get 
some cartridges for my rifle. He told me that the 
Paymaster-General (I have forgotten his name) had 
a rifle of the same kind and some cartridges, and' 
that he made his head-quarters on board the steamer 
J. D. Perry, at Chickasaw Landing. 

The General gave me a line to the Paymaster, and 
I went over to the Landing. When I arrived there, 
the steamers had nearly all gone down to Young's 
Point, and with them tlie J. D. Perry. It was 
nearly night, and too late to return to camp, so I 
remained there all night, with a Sergeant from my 
own regiment, who was on detached duty there, in 
charge of the camp and garrison equipage belonging 
to the regiment. 

When I arose on the morning of July 4th, I found 
that all the steamers had left. A few hours later 
the dispatch-boat Diligent came up, and brought the 
news that Vicksburg had surrendered. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 287 

That accounted for the absence of the steamers. 
A flag of truce had been sent into our lines on the 
afternoon of the 3d, before I left, but I had not 
heard that it was to arrange for the surrender of 
the place. 

When the dispatch-boat returned, I went on it to 
Vicksburg. There the whole fleet of transports and 
gun-boats, including the Marine Brigade, was moored, 
decorated with all their streamers and colors, and 
from the Court-house dome proudly floated the 
glorious emblem of our country. It was a grand 
and sublime spectacle. The levee and streets of the 
city were thronged with thousands of weather and 
war-worn heroes, that had heroically suftered and 
fought for the capture of the place. 

It was a proud day for them, and their counte- 
nances beamed w^ith such expressions of satisfaction 
and delight as only heroes can wear. 

The magnitude of their victory was proportionate 
to the day on which it was achieved, and such a 
celebration of our national anniversary was never 
before had, and probably never will be again. 

The sufferings and privations and hardships of 
long marches, and exposures and hard-fought battles 
and a long-continued siege, were all forgotten in the 
realization of the most glorious victory that had ever 
crowned the arms of an American hero. 

Promiscuously mingled with the blue uniforms of 
the Federal soldiers was the dirty yellow of the Con- 
federate prisoners, and their filthy appearance and 
fear-worn faces were in striking contrast with their 
elated victors. 



288 • FOUR YEARS 

The magnitude of the victory can perhaps be bet- 
ter understood by the following official report: 

Rehel losses in Major-General Grant's Department since the landing 
of the army at Grand Gulj\ Mississippi, May 1, 1863. 

Loss in men up to May 18th 40,000 

Prisoners taken at Vicksburg 31,000 

Total 71,000 

Citizen prisoners, 1,500 of whom were women and children. . 5,000 

Prisoners sick and wounded 13,220 

Prisoners fit for duty - 18,000 

Tents captured • 4,000 

Mules captured 1,500 

Horses captured 1 ,000 

Freight cars 200 

Locomotives 5 

Large siege-guns captured 188 

Field-piecea captured 151 

Rounds of ammunition 300 

Stands of small arms 35,000 

Shot-guns, etc 30,000 

Value of public property captured, from ten to fifteen million dollars. 
Approved, by order of James Wilson, 

Lieutenant- Colonel and Provost-marshal. 

I found the Paymaster-General at Vicksburg, and 
succeeded in getting from him a box of cartridges. 
Not liking to remain in the place while the prisoners 
were there, lest some of them might, at some future 
time, recognize me, should I be so unfortunate as to 
get captured, I told Greneral Grant how I felt about 
it, and he sent me to my regiment, then at Black 
River, to stay until the prisoners were sent away. 

A few days after the surrender, the prisoners 
were all paroled, and then marched through our 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 289 

lines at Black River. While they were passing our 
canip, I kept out of sight by remaining in my quar- 
ters. The second day after the prisoners commenced 
to pass an exception occurred. 

A rebel Major came along and dismounted, and 
sat down as if to rest, holding his horse by the 
halter. It was soon evident, from his numerous in- 
quiries, that rest was not so much of an object as 
contraband information. His horse was a nice one, 
and was equipped with a fine saddle and bridle, and 
across his saddle was a portmanteau. 

A soldier of the 30th Illinois Regiment came to 
my quarters, and requested me to go out and see the 
Major and converse with him. He also told me that 
the Major was trying to get information from the sol- 
diers that he had no business with, and that if I 
would succeed in holding his attention, the boys 
would play some kind of a caper upon him for his 
improper inquisitiveness. 

I went out, and found him engaged in trying to 
find out the strength of General Grrant's army. As 
I came up I squatted right down in front of him, 
and commenced to ask him questions about how he 
liked the siege, etc.; then, fixing my eyes on his, I 
gave him a severe rebuke for participating in such 
an unjust cause, and tried to show him its utter 
hopelessness. I then spoke of the blessings of peace, 
prosperity, and happiness, as they had existed under 
our Government before the war, and then contrasted 
that state of affairs with the existing state of aff*airs 
in the rebellious States, and concluded by telling 
him that any man who had been guilty of raising 
19 



290 FOUR YEARS 

his hand against the best Government that ever ex- 
isted, ought to be satisfied with the experience that 
he had had, and heartily ashamed of himself. 

As I began to talk, the soldiers began to gather 
in a crowd around us. I suspected that some of 
them would cut the halter-strap and lead the horse 
off into the woods, before the crowd would open suf- 
ficiently for the Major to see which way it went. 

Whenever the Major showed any inclination to 
look behind him, I would become emphatic in my 
expressions and gesticulations, and look so earnestly 
at him that I kept his attention riveted upon me. 
While I was talking, the portmanteau was opened, 
and a beautiful silver-mounted ten-shooting revolver 
taken out and carried off. 

W^hen I had finished, the crowd dispersed, and the 
Major prepared to leave. In doing so, he discovered 
that his revolver was gone. He told me about it 
and described the revolver, and said that it must 
have been taken while I had been talking with him. 

He went to Brigadier-Greneral Force, commanding 
the brigade, and complained that, while he was rest- 
ing, somebody stole his revolver. 

The General immediately issued an order requir- 
ing all the company commanders in the brigade to 
search the men of their commands at once for the 
revolver, but it was without success. 

The Major told the General that one of the men 
standing by was called by the name of Bunker; 
consequently, I was sent for. 

"Do you know who got this man's revolver?" 
inquired the General of me. as I went in. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 291 

" No, sir. I did not see his revolver, and did not 
know that he had one until he told me that some 
one had stolen it." 

" Do you know what regiment the man belonged 
to that took it?" 

"No, sir, I do. not! But I did think that the 
Major was asking very imiwoper questions for a paroled 
prisoner to ask, and I expected, while I was talking 
to him, that the boys would take horse and all, and I 
think he may feel thankful if he has n't lost any thing 
but his revolver ! " 

" That will do ! " said the General ; " you can go 
to your quarters. Major, I don't see as I can do 
anything for you! " 

When the prisoners had all crossed Black River, 
I returned to Yicksburg. On my return, I chanced 
to meet Major-Greneral Logan, who wanted I should 
engage in the detective business, the same as I had 
done at Memphis. I told him that I did not like 
the business and did not understand it, and that I 
did not see any thing brave or daring in it, and that 
it seemed like rather a low business. He, however, 
insisted upon my taking hold of it, and gave me an 
order to go on board the steamer Swon to board, so 
that I might pass as a citizen without being sus- 
picioned. 

I boarded there three days, at the end of which 
time I was so completely disgusted with the business 
that I could not do any thing at it, even if I had 
wanted to. I then went to General Grant, and told 
him what General Logan had set me at, and that I 
did not like it, and asked him if he had a trip that 



292 FOUR YEARS 

he wanted made into the Confederacy. He replied 
that he had none of much importance, but that I 
might make a trip to Yazoo City, if I was a mind 
to, and see if any thing was going on there, and 
gather what information I coukl. 

The Federal forces had, since, the surrender of 
Vicksburg, already taken the place, and captured 
such public stores as were moveable, and destroyed 
the rest and vacated it. 

I made the trip on horseback, dressed like a citi- 
zen. The route was rather a lonesome one, and 
nothing occurred of interest on my way out. On my 
arrival at Yazoo City, I found every thing quiet, and 
the place unoccupied by troops. 

I then crossed the Yazoo River to the west, and 
visted the neighborhood of Silver Creek, at a point 
eighteen miles from Yazoo City. There I learned 
that a band of guerrillas, known as the Silver Creek 
guerrillas, were to have a meeting the next day, at 
a log church, about six miles distant to the south- 
west, to reorganize their band, so as to make them- 
selves more efficient. Thinking that I might learn 
something of them that might be of service, I deter- 
mined to attend the meeting. 

The next morning I started in the direction of 
the church alone, but had gone only a short distance 
when I was joined by six citizens, on horseback, go- 
ing to the same place. We arrived at the church 
about 10 o'clock, A. M., and found the meeting already 
commenced. I walked in with those that had ac- 
companied me and sat down, a listener to their pro- 
ceedings. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 293 

Remarks were made by several individuals, and I 
learned by them that the band had become disorgan- 
ized and ineffectual by the slackness of the members 
in turning out. Many of them had failed to report 
for duty when ordered, and some of them had never 
reported at all. A great deal was said about what 
valuable services might be rendered by a well-organ- 
ized band, and appeals were made to the patriotism 
of each individual present " to stand by the South 
in the hour of her trial, and let the world at large 
know that the people of the South were determined 
in their purpose, and would fight for her liberties 
until relieved from the thralldom of a Lincoln tyr- 
anny." 

Each man present was invited to express his 
views on the matter, and I, in turn, was called upon. 
To kill all chances of suspicion that might occur 
from my presence, I responded to the invitation. I 
said to them that I was a stranger to all of them. 
I told them that I belonged to Daniel's guerrillas, at 
Somerville, Tennessee, and I knew from experience 
that a well-organized hand could make itself of great 
service to the Government, and that I felt it was the 
duty of every individual in the Confederacy to put 
forth his best efforts, without regard to cost or sacrifice^ 
to sustain the Government and establish our liberty. 
Our band, I told them, intended to live on the Lin- 
coln army, and we kept close to it, and frequently 
got inside of the Yankee lines and got valuable in- 
formation, and sometimes we captured prisoners, and 
horses, and mules ; and we calculated not only to do 
service to the Government, but to make it pay us, 



294 FOUR YEABS 

and I hoped that the people of that neighborhood 
were as patriotic as they were in mine. 

The meeting resulted in the reorganization of the 
band, with eighty members. 

It has often been reported that citizens of the South 
who had taken the oath of allegiance to the Federal 
Government, were subject to abuse and cruel treat- 
ment by guerrillas and soldiers of the Confederate 
army ; but in that meeting several of the members 
said that they had taken the oath, and had done it 
because compelled to do it, and it was not spoken 
of as an oifense nor regarded as an obligation. 

I had hoped that, in attending the meeting, I 
would be enabled to learn of some intended raid or 
campaign, but none was spoken of and 2:>robably 
none contemplated by the band at that time. 

About 1 o'clock, P. M., the meeting closed, and I 
resumed my way back. Two days after, I arrived 
at Vicksburg, and reported to General Grant. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 295 



CHAPTER XXV. 

Taken sick with the ague — Eucouuters his Satanic Majesty — The 
Devil afraid of General Grant — Expedition to Bogue Chitto 
Creek — Captures a rebel Colonel — Enlists as a veteran — Makes 
a speech to the soldiers. 

From the time that I finished my trip to Yazoo 
City until the next November I had but very little 
to do, and nothing occurred of interest in my experi- 
ence as a scout. About this time I was taken with 
the three-day ague, which troubled me more or less 
for a whole year. At times, when the "shakes" 
would leave me and the fever come on, I would have 
dreams or visions of a delirious character. I usu- 
ally fancied myself engaged in some fearful and des- 
perate encounter with the rebels. My fancies were 
audibly uttered, and to-day are as distinctly visible 
to my mind as though they were realities of yester- 
day. Indeed, they seemed like actual experience. 
In those delirious hours, officers and soldiers would 
visit me, to listen to my utterances of what was 
passing before me. 

On one occasion, I fancied that I died and went 
to hell. There I found, in one corner of the infernal 
regions, an inclosure of several acres, filled with 
Federal soldiers. They were sufi'ering intensely for 



296 FOUR YEARS 

want of sufficient water. A small rivulet made its 
way down a little hollow across the inclosure, but 
the stream was so small that its supply aggravated 
rather than diminished the thirst of the soldiers. 
Having placed me in the inclosure, the devil started 
back to earth after more soldiers. After a careful 
examination of the locality, I concluded that I could 
relieve very much of the suffering by damming up 
the stream. I set to work at once making a dam, 
and, by the time the devil made his appearance, I 
had succeeded in raising the water to a depth of 
four feet. 

" Have you come here to interfere with my ar- 
rangements?" inquired the devil, angry at what I 
had done. 

" No, sir ; but I thought I would build a dam here 
and have as much water in it as there is in some 
parts of the Mississippi." • 

Whereupon the devil picked up a big cannon and 
punched a hole through it, which let the water out. 
Just then a twenty-two inch shell came into the in- 
closure, and exploded with a tremendous crash, com- 
pletely enveloj^ing us with the smoke. As it cleared 
away, two pei'sons were seen coming through the re- 
gions of space directly toward the inclosure. The 
quick eye of his Satanic Majesty was the first to 
catch sight of them. 

"Who are these?" he inquired. "A'n't one of 
them General Grant?" 

"Yes," I replied; "that man in citizen's clothes is 
General Grant, and the man in uniform is General 
McPherson." 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 297 

"I believe that is Grant," he said, after a more 
careful look. 

"Yes, that's Grant." 

"Then I must light out of this!" and away he 
went, as fast as possible. 

I told my dream to General Grant. " I know," 
said he, "that I could run the rebels about, but I 
did not know that I could run the devil out of hell." 
He has asked me several times since if I had had any 
more dreams. 

In the month of November, General McPherson 
made a demonstration with 14,000 men toward Can- 
ton, Miss., to draw the attention of the rebs while 
General Sherman, with his command, was moving' 
from Memphis eastward to Chattanooga. 

At Brownsville we came upon a small force of 
rebs, who undertook to check our advance, but we 
drove them from their position. The next day, at 
Bogue Chitto Creek, they made another stand, but 
were again driven from their position. General John 
A. Logan then sent me out to the front of our right 
to watch the movements of the enemy, and see which 
way they went. I was accompanied by a scout, by 
the name of James E. Bader. About a mile out, we 
left our horses under cover of the woods, and then, 
by ourselves, we ascended a rise of ground that en- 
abled us to see the course the enemy had taken. 
While we were thus eno-ao;ed in watchino\ we saw a 
man leave the rebel forces and ride toward a house 
that stood near by. As he neared us, we saw that 
he had on the uniform of a rebel Colonel. lie un- 
saddled the horse at the house and then led it away 



298 FOUR TEARS 

to the stable, and then returned himself to the house. 
We then went to our horses, mounted, and rode to 
the house, dismounted and went in. We found but 
one man in the house, who said, " Good morning ! 
You gave the Johnnies a good fleecing this morning!" 

"Yes," said I, "we fleeced the Johnnies. But 
where is your uniform ? " 

" I ha' n't got a uniform, boys. I am no secesh. 
I have always been a good Union man." 

We then searched the house for the saddle and 
uniform, which we found, hid under the floor. 

" What uniform is this," said I, hauling it up from 
its hiding-place. , 

" It belongs to one of the boarders." 

"It's my opinion that the boarder's clothes will 
just fit you. Take off the clothes you have on and 
put on these, and do it quick, too." 

"I declare, gentlemen, that's not my uniform." 

"No matter; you must put it on and see how 
it fits." 

" Jiminy-pult ! " said Bader, brandishing his re- 
volver ; " put this uniform on in a hurry, or we 'U 
help you ! " 

" 'No more excuses," said I. " It a'n't but a few 
minutes since we saw you have it on." 

The Colonel reluctantly changed his former dress 
for t!Je uniform. "There — your military clothes fit 
well. Now go with us." 

Bader saddled the horse and brought it to the 
door, when we made him mount and go back with us 
to General Logan. I told him the course the enemy 
had taken, and how we had captured the Colonel. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 299 

"Good morning, Colonel," said Logan. "Have 
you got any meat?" 

"Yes, sir." 

" Bunker, you go over and get some for our sup- 
per to-niglit." 

I returned, accompanied by my partner, to the 
Colonel 's house, where we found a nice flock of tur- 
keys. Knowing that officers were fond of turkeys, I 
called a dog that was lying in the yard and set him 
to work. In a few minutes we captured six nice 
ones, which we carried to the General in lieu of 
meat. 

" Here, Colonel," said Logan, showing the turkeys 
to the prisoner, "you shall have a nice suj^per in the 
Federal fortress. Boys, have you got any for your- 
selves?" 

" No, sir." 

" Here, take these," (handing me two of them.) 

They made us an excellent supper ; but whether 
the Colonel relished his own turkeys, and himself a 
prisoner, I am not so sure. The next day I was laid 
U]) with the ague, and was not able to scout any 
more during that expedition. 

In the month of December, 1863, the re-enlisting 
of soldiers as veterans commenced in my regiment. 
I at once re-enlisted, and set about using my influ- 
ence to persuade others to do so. This I did, gen- 
erally by private conversation. Once, however, 
Bunker was called upon to make a speech, of which 
the following is what he had to say : 

^''Fellow-soldiers and comrades in arms: It is with 
feelings of pride that I a'ttempt to address you — 



300 FOUR TEARS 

pride because it is not often that an occasion oifers 
for one to address a body of men whose deeds of 
valor have called forth such praise and such re- 
joicings as yours have done. Ajel I am proud that 
I have been a comrade in arms with you in such 
struggles as Donelson, Shiloh, Champion Hills, and 
Yicksburg ! Such victories attest that you have 
done your duty well, and the glory is yours. Your 
country appreciates the value of such men, and, be- 
cause of it, she now asks that you and I stand by 
that tattered flag for three years more. We know 
how it came by those shreds, and, as we gaze upon 
it, our hearts swell big with emotion in the recollec- 
tion of the scenes through which we have passed. It 
is our Hood that has spattered it, and our arms that 
have borne it and won for it glory. You know, by 
experience, the lot of the soldier. Your faces are 
bronzed in the service, and many of you bear scars 
from the battles that you Ve fought, mementoes of 
which your children and children's children will be 
proud to speak when you are laid away in the hero's 
grave. 

"Our regiment has already taken part in nine 
battles and several severe skirmishes. In addition 
to my services as a scout and spy, I have taken part 
in all of them but one, and that was missed because 
I was sick and unable for duty. But, as much pri- 
vation and hardships as I have experienced, and as 
much danger as I have been exposed to, I can not 
turn a deaf ear to the call of my country. 

" Living and mingling, as I have, with the people 
of the South, and being with them at the time the 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 301 

war commenced, I was able to discern, with approxi- 
mate correctness, the gigantic proportions of the re- 
bellion. I well knew the feelings that had impelled 
them, and the obstinate and reckless determination 
with which they would hold out against the attempt 
of the Federal Government to bring them into sub- 
jection. 

" In responding to the call of my country to sus- 
tain her noble prestige and glory, I had well counted 
the cost of the sacrifice that I was about to make; 
and, contrary to the general expectation of a large 
proportion of those that volunteered, I had no idea 
that the rebellion would be put down in a few moriths, 
but expected that ijears must elapse before our coun- 
try would be restored to its former proportions, j)eace, 
and prosperity. 

" Two years and a half have already passed since 
the first shot was fired at that star-spangled banner 
by the hands of traitors who had been reared under 
its protecting folds. 

''During that period, thousands of patriotic hearts, 
that beat with love for their country, have ceased 
their pulsations in the noble effort to crush the 
traitorous arm that was raised against the most 
glorious structure of human liberty. 

" Fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, wives 
and sweethearts have mourned the loss of the noble 
fallen. 

"Some of the heroes of this war have dragged out 
a lingering, distressing existence by disease, breath- 
ing the hero's prayer as they closed their eyes in 
death. Others have died amid the clash of arms 



302 rOUR YEARS 

and the din of battle ; others, smitten down by the 
hand of the foe, have spent days of horrible agony, 
without food, water, or shelter, and then — died, glo- 
rious martyrs of liberty, on the field where they fell. 

" Still the war continues, and the distant boom of 
cannon announces that more martyrs are being sac- 
rificed and other hearts are being broken. 

"The page of history will never reveal the anguish 
and suffering caused by this unholy rebellion. 

" The fond father and mother, who have invoked 
the blessings of Heaven upon their heroic son, as he 
was about to leave them to encounter the hardships, 
privations, and sufferings of the warrior, will never 
know the sufferings which that loved one has endured; 
nor will the loved one know the intense anxiety and 
the agony of the broken hearts of those aged parents, 
until they meet in the blissful bowers of a patriot 
and hero. 

" JSTo pen can ever portray the sighs and anguish of 
the devoted wife and tender children, whose husband 
and father, their solace and support, has been smit- 
ten down by the hand of the foe. 

" It has been my lot and pleasure to be a comrade 
and a sharer with those that have thus freely suf- 
fered and bled to perpetuate the blessings of liberty ; 
and I can testify that there has been no hardship 
so great, no suffering so intense, no death so,->horri- 
ble as to efface the calm smiles of satisfaction and 
love from the face of the war-wrinkled hero, as he 
closed his eyes in death, with his last lingering look 
upon the flag of his country. 

"Notwithstanding the many narrow escapes and 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 303 

perilous adventures and sufferings that I have ex- 
perienced, from long marches and from sickness, 
and from exposure to the weather by sleeping upon 
the ground, unsheltered by blanket or cover, during 
my travels as scout ; and, notwithstanding the 
dangers I have experienced upon the field of battle, 
amid the roar of musketry and the crash of artillery, 
and the groans of my mangled comrades, wounded 
and dying, as they lay weltering in pools of blood, I 
prize my country no less than I did two years and a 
half ago, and my heart beats with the same imtriot- 
ism that first prompted me to raise my arm in de- 
fense of the Union. 

"So long as an armed traitor shall be found in re* 
bellion against the Government, I shall continue my 
career as a soldier. I can not leave the field until 
this rebellion is crushed. 

"The spirits of my fallen comrades are hovering 
about me, and beckoning me on to avenge their suf- 
ferings and our insulted flag; and their moldering 
bodies would turn over in disgust in the graves 
that inclose them, were I to leave the laurels that 
we have so gallantly won to the uncertainty of 
strange hands. Come, then, to the rescue ! 

"Your fathers and mothers, your wives^ and sweet- 
hearts, and all your loved ones at home, will cheer 
you on in the noble cause. Their thanksgivings and 
prayers are already encircling the throne of God in 
your behalf; and when you return to your homes, 
their kind hands will place garlands of flowers upon 
your heads as crowns of glory that you have won. 
Cast your eyes upon the sacred emblem of our 



304 FOUR YEARS 

country — to the flag which you have followed to the 
field of blood, and around which you have rallied in 
the din of battle, and beneath which your brave com- 
rades have fallen, and remember the glorious victories 
that you have won, and that a nation's gratitude is 
yours. 

"March bravely on, as you have already done, 
winning victory after victory, and but a few months 
more will elapse till you have planted the stars and 
stripes in every nook and corner of the rebellious 
states. 

" Then will peace, happiness and prosperity shed 
their effulgent rays over all the land, and you will 
return to your homes, enshrouded with glory, to 
meet the warm embrace of friends, knoidng that you 
have a country, and that b. free country." 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 305 



CPIAPTER XXVI. 

Frightened by a dead Colonel — Burns Confederate corn in face 
of the enemy — Gets into a tight place — A frightened Major — 
Captures information — A headstrong Captain gobbled up — 
Captures a rebel Provost-marshal General — Encounter with 
General Ross' cavalry — A strange adventure — liaces with a 
rebel Colonel — A hard-hearted woman. 

The next service that I performed was in the 
month of February, 1864. It was in that month 
that General Sherman made what is known as the 
"Meridian raid." I accompanied the expedition. 
The second day out from Vicksburg, General Mc- 
Pherson sent me to watch the movements of Wirt 
Adams, who was hovering about our right flank with 
a battalion of cavalry. I found a movement in 
progress to attack the ordnance and supply train, 
which I reported in time to prevent; it was hand- 
somely effected by the 11th Illinois Cavalry. At 
night the army halted at Baker's Creek. 

There an incident occurred that I can never for- 
get. I expected to go home with my regiment on 
veteran furlough as soon as the campaign that we 
were then on was completed. I had felt desirous 
of procuring a complete Confederate Colonel's uni- 
form to take home with me as a trophy. I had al- 
ready secured every thing except a coat. When I 
20 



306 FOUR YEARS 

had completed my day's ride, and secured my horse 
for the night, it had got to be so kite as 9 o'clock. 
Passing along the line to find somebody that would 
lend me some tobacco — which, by the wa}^, was 
a scarce article then — I met a soldier, who said, 
" Bunker, did n't I hear you say that you wanted a 
rebel Colonel's coat?" 

"Yes." 

"There was a rebel Colonel killed on the skirmish 
line in front to-day." 

" Was there ! Where is he ? " 

" Go up the ditch yonder, to the left, till you come 
to the end of it ; then take a hollow that leads away 
to your left. The first body that you come to is a 
dead private: the next is that of a Colonel." 

The night was very dark, but my desires to obtain 
the coat were so strong that they overcame all fear, 
so I started out. I found the hollow described with 
less difficulty than I had expected. Coming to the 
dead private, I said, " Grood evening, Johnnie! You'll 
get cold there, won't you?" A few steps further 
brought me to another body, "Good evening, Col- 
onel !" said I. He made no reply. I continued : 
" You are going down below, where it is warm, and 
when we get back from this raid I am going up 
north, where it is cold ; 3^ou have got a good coat and 
I want it. Since it is so warm down where you are 
going that you do n't need it, what objections can 
you have to my taking it?" 

The Colonel made no reply. 

" Well, Colonel, they say, when sparking old maids, 
that silence gives consent so I guess I '11 take it." 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 307 

He lay on his back, with his feet crossed, and one 
arm laying across his breast. His boots were 
already gone. Taking hold of his arm and raising 
it up, I found that it was limber. Said I, " You 
have n't had your furlough long, have you. Colonel ? " 
He made no reply. I set the body up, and got down 
upon my knees in front of it, and commenced to 
take off the coat. A gasp and a convulsive spring 
forward brought the Colonel's open mouth suddenly 
against my face. Unearthly horror seized me ; with 
one bound I was on my feet, and the next thing that 
I knew I was in camp. To say that I was fright- 
ened is no description of my feelings. Had a de- 
mon from the infernal regions placed his gnashing 
jaws against my face, I could not have been more 
horrified. I covered myself in my blankets, and 
cold tremors crept over me for hours after. Every 
attempt to court sleep would force through my mind 
a vivid recollection of every mean thing that I had 
ever done, followed by all the stories of ghosts and 
hobgoblins that I had ever heard. I have had no 
desire since to obtain a rebel Colonel's coat. 

The next morning the march was resumed. Noth- 
ing of particular interest occurred, save the usual 
skirmishing, foraging, and burning consequent upon 
such expeditions, for several days. After we had 
crossed Pearl River, I was kept constantly on the 
flanks, scouting and foraging. I usually had a squad 
of men with me. At Jonesboro I was sent out on 
the left flank, with a squad of eight men. A few 
miles out from Jonesboro, the road leading to Hills- 
boro forks. The straight and most direct road leads 



808 FOUR YEARS 

througli seven miles of swamp, and is known as the 
" lower road." The right-hand road leads to the 
south, around the swamp, and is called the " upper 
road." The latter was the one taken by the army 
in its route to Hillsboro. "When I left the troops 
in the morning, I did not know that there was more 
than one road leading to that place. The conse- 
quence was, I kept to the left of the lower road, 
which carried me entirely too far from the main 
force of the army for safety. 

After traveling about eight miles, we came to a 
cross-road. Our course, thus far, had not been con- 
fined to any road, but lay across the fields. As we 
came to the cross-road we emerged from a piece of 
woodland. Half a mile beyond us was a double 
log-house and several large rail-pens, which we had 
learned were filled with Confederate corn. Three 
hundred yards to the left of the corn we discovered 
a camp of two regiments of rebel cavalry. These 
we tried to clear, by filing to the right and keeping 
along in the timber to the west of the road. Less 
than a hundred yards brought us to a small stream 
of water, whose banks were lined with a dense 
growth of alders. The stream, after crossing the 
road, made its way along to within fifty yards of the 
corn-crib. Taking advantage of the cover afibrded 
by the alders, one of my party waded down the shal- 
low stream until opposite the cribs, and then, under 
cover of the cribs, made his way to them and set 
them on fire, and then retraced his steps. 

Two miles further south, we came to a planter's 
house, where I found a table spread for eighteen per- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 309 

sons, and fried sausage figured extensively in the 
meal, which was then nearly prepared. 

"You've got the table set for some Johnnies, I 
reckon," said I to the planter. 

"T^o, sir; for none but our own family." 

" I reckon you have ; I '11 go out and stand picket 
while my men come in and eat." I went out and 
sent the men in to eat the sausage. As I was about 
to step behind an ash-house that stood in the yard, 
the old man, who had followed me out, stepped up 
to me and begged of me not to go there. Said he, 
" If you do, you will surely get shot." 

"You want to frighten the men away from that 
sausage," said I, still determined to go there. 

"No," said he, "I have never seen a man shot, 
and I don't want to see you shot in my own yard; 
you will certainly get shot if you go there. If you 
want to stand picket at all, go up into my garret 
and watch from the window." 

The old man turned so pale and looked so much 
in earnest, that I concluded to take his advice. In- 
stead of going into the front door I went round to 
the back door ; both doors were open. In the front 
end of the hall sat the planter's daughter, waving a 
white handkerchief, and in the field beyond, not 
more than three hundred yards distant, I saw a line 
of Johnnies coming, hiding their approach as much as 
they could by intervening objects. I said to the 
boys, " Grab the sausage, kick over the table, and 
be ofi^, for the rebs are on us." We took to the 
trees, when quite a lively skirmish ensued, which 
lasted for several minutes. The rebs then took to 



310 FOUR YEARS 

their horses, evidently bent on intercepting our re- 
treat on the cross-road. As soon as they were out 
of sight, we started across the fields for the " lower 
Hillsboro" road, which proved to be about a mile 
distant. There were eighteen of the rebs, and they 
had evidently been watching the "lower road" for 
forage parties. We had been coming up in their 
rear until we stopped to confiscate the sausage. On 
reaching the road, I found that the troops had not 
passed that way, and consequently must have taken 
some other. The fact now flashed upon my mind 
that we were much further from our command than 
we had any idea of. 

There w^as a brick church at the corner of the 
road. I got the boys into that as quick as possible, 
and ordered them to knock out the windows. While 
they were preparing for defense, I stood in the road 
and w^atched. While the boys were getting ready, 
a Lieutenant and a private of the Federal Signal 
Corps came up, each armed with revolvers, and 
soon after several infantry soldiers, that had strayed 
away from their commands, came in sight. I hur- 
ried them up, and had hardly got them into the 
church when a party of rebs made their apj^earance. 
We opened on them lively, and killed two of their 
number and wounded others, which caused them to 
clear out and leave us. I knew it would not do to 
stay there long, so we "lit out" to find the army, 
taking the cross-road to the south. Being mounted, 
I rode on ahead, until I came to the upper road. 
The 16th Corps had just passed, and the 17th was 
just coming into sight. In a few minutes General 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 311 

McPherson and staff came up, and wanted to know 
wll^lt the firing was about. I reported the situa- 
tion of affairs. Just then two of m}'- squad, who had 
brought up the rear at a distance of three hundred 
yards behind the rest, came up on the run, with 
information that two regiments of rebel cavahy 
were coming. The General ordered a brigade of 
infantry into position on a double-quick. They 
were hardly in line before the rebs commenced 
firing. A lively engagement ensued, which lasted 
about thirty minutes, and resulted in a handsome 
defeat of the enemy. 

A march of three days more brought us to De- 
catur, Miss. The 16th Army Corps passed on be- 
yond the place to encamp for the night. As the rear 
of their supply train was passing out of the place it 
was attacked, and one man and twenty-six mules 
were killed. The 17th Corps encamped for the 
night at Decatur. The next morning General Leg- 
gett sent me out on a road running south from the 
place, to ascertain whether there was a rebel force 
near. I had only gone half a mile before I discov- 
ered, a short distance ahead of me, a squad of rebs. 
I returned to report the fact to General Leggett, 
and as I was passing the first line of our troops, 
Major Fry, of the 20th Ohio, said to me, " Bunker, 
what is there out there ? " 

" There are rebs out there." 

"How far?" 

"Not more than half a mile." 

"Pshaw! Bunker, you are mistaken; there can't 
be rebs that near." 



312 FOUR YEARS 

" Perhaps you liad better go and see, if you do n't 
believe it." 

The Major mounted his Wack stallion and went 
out. The road was crooked, and lined on both sides 
with a heavy growth of pine underbrush, so that it 
was impossible to see far. He hadn't been gone 
long enough to have rode half a mile, when he was 
seen coming back with his horse under full spur, 
and at its utmost speed, with hat in hand, shouting 
at the top of his voice, " Fall in ! Fall in ! Fall in ! " 
From the Major's actions, we all supposed that a 
large force of rebs were about to attack us. The 
troops instantly fell in, when a company was sent 
out to find the cause of alarm, and discovered seven 
men that had given chase to the Major. Officers 
sometimes get frightened as well as enlisted^ men. 

General Leggett then gave me a squad of twenty- 
six men and sent me out on a road to the south-east 
of town. Two miles out I saw a citizen fleeing from 
his house to the woods, as if alarmed at our ap- 
proach. I gave chase and soon caught up with him. 
Brandishing my revolver, I said to him, " Daddy, 
you have got to tell me one thing or I will kill you 
right here ; now tell me the truth." 

"Well, what is it?" 

"Where were you going, and what were you going 
for?" 

" There are six hundred State militia down in the 
woods, about three quarters of a mile from here ; I 
was afraid of you all, and I was going down there 
for protection." 

" You belong to them, I suppose ? " 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 313 

« m, sir." 

"What are the militia doing there ?" 

" They are going to attack your supply train." 

"That's a fact, is it?" 

"Yes, and they are going to do it right quick. 

" It was the militia that killed the mules last 
night, I suppose." 

" No, it was the citizens of the town." 

"Did you have a hand in it?" 

" No, sir ; but my brother did. I '11 tell you how 
it was done. Before the Yankee force came up, the 
citizens of the town met on the public square, and 
joined hands around the Confederate pole, with the 
Confederate colors flying, and swore by Almighty 
God that they would resist the march of the Yan- 
kees through the place, or every man would die in 
the attempt. As soon as the Yankee advance made 
its appearance, they all fled to the woods. As the 
rear of the train came up, they rallied and made the 
attack; but as soon as they saw other troops coming, 
they again fled." 

I returned to General Leggett, to report the in- 
formation that I had gained. I found him still in 
Decatur, superintending the departure of troops. 
The train was already moving out. I told him what 
was up. Said he, " They dare not attack it ; and if 
they do, there a' n't enough of them to wake up one 
side of it." 

" I guess they will try it. General." 

At that instant the crack of rifles was heard, 
which increased in frequency until the firing was 
quite lively. 



314 FOUR YEARS 

" They are at it, I guess," said the General. " I 
must see about tliat." So out we went to the scene 
of action. The guards were doing bravely, but the 
presence of the General inspired them with new 
courage, and they pitched into the militia like so 
many tigers, and whipped them without any rein- 
forcements to assist them. 

At Meridian, General McPherson sent me out 
alone to hunt up a grist-mill that was suitable to 
grind corn for the army. It was rendered necessary 
because of our having advanced into the enemy's 
country one hundred and fifty miles from our base 
of supplies, which compelled us to subsist upon the 
products of the country. 

Two miles out from Meridian I found a mill, but 
it needed some repairs. The man who kept it told 
me that there was another, six miles further out, 
that was in good running order. I went out to find 
it, but had gone only about a mile, when I discov- 
ered rebel forces of both infantry and cavalry. From 
appearances, I judged them to be quite strong. I 
then retraced my steps toward camp. On my way, 
I met a Captain, with a detail of forty men, going 
after forage. I advised him to go back. I told him 
that if he undertook to go on the rebs would gobble 
him up. He insisted upon having his own way, and 
went on. Two men of company K, of the 17th 
Illinois Infantry, who knew me, heard what I said 
to the Captain, and, not liking very well to be cap- 
tured, fell back a short distance to the rear of the 
squad, and watched the motion of things. The 
result was, the Captain and his men were surprised 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 315 

and all gobbled up without making any resistance, 
except the two that fell back, and they made a nar- 
row escape. 

After leaving the Captain, I hui-ried back and 
reported to General McPherson, who sent out a 
force of cavalry as quickly as possible to support 
the Captain, or release him if captured. The 
assistance, however, was too late. The rebs had 
departed with their prisoners. 

We staid at Meridian two days, which time we 
spent in gathering supplies and devastating the 
country. The object of the raid was to impoverish 
the country as much as possible, and it was success- 
fully accomplished. The destruction of property 
could not have been more complete. At the expira- 
tion of two days the army retraced its way eighteen 
miles, and then made another halt of two days, to 
rest the teams. 

From that place, Colonel Potts, of the 32d Ohio 
Infantry, (since a Brevet Major-General,) in com- 
mand of the Ohio Brigade, was sent with fifty-six 
wagons to the north of our line of march after 
supplies. I went with him. He ordered me to ride 
on some distance in advance, and see what I could find. 

Twelve miles out, I came to a plantation that 
looked as if it belono-ed to a man in wealthv circum- 
stances. As I came in sight of the house, I saw two 
men go in. The house stood in a yard inclosed by 
a picket-fence ; behind the house was a small oak 
grove. Halting in front of the gate, I shouted. 
Two men came out, and one of them inquired what 
I wanted. 



316 FOUR TEARS 

" I want you to come out to the gate," I replied. 

*' Go along to your command," lie continued; "you 
have no business here. Your command has just 
passed the corner yonder, out of sight. I do n't want 
you straggling back and prowling around my prem- 
ises. I am Provost-marshal General of this district, 
and I order you to go on," 

" Oh, come out here. I am no straggler. I have 
got some news to tell you about the Yankees, and 
it '5 ffood news, tooT 

At that they both came out into the road. As 
the Marshal closed the gate, and stepped away from 
it, I reined my horse between him and the gate, 
and, quickly presenting my revolver, told them that 
they were my prisoners, and if they made any at- 
tempt to get away I 'd kill them both on the spot. 
I then marched them back till I met Colonel Potts. 

" AVhat have you got here ? " he inquired. 

" The Provost-marshal General." 

"Is that your rank, sir?" he inquired of the 
prisoner. 

" Yes, sir." 

"What is your name? 

" Davis, sir ; Doctor Davis j they call me." 

"What is your name?" (addressing the other.) 

" My name is Davis ; I am a brother of the 
doctor. 

"What is your rank?" 

" I am a private in the 35th Mississippi Regiment. 

"What are you doing here?" 

" I am on furlough. Here it is," said he, pulling 
it out and handing it to the Colonel. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 317 

I told the Colonel that it was only a few rods to 
the doctor's house ; so he brought them along to 
the house, where they were turned over to my care. 
I now discovered, for the first time, that there were 
several persons chained to the trees in the little 
grove behind the house. Leaving my j^risoners with 
a guard, I went to find out who they were. I found 
that they had iron collars around their necks, to 
which the chains were made fast. They said they 
were Union people, and lived in the country about 
there, and that they had fled from conscription, and 
Doctor Davis had hunted them down with blood- 
hounds, and then ch^-ined them there. I went to the 
doctor and asked him who he had got chained up in 
the grove. He said, " They are Confederate soldiers 
that have deserted their regiments. I captured them, 
and fastened them that way for safe-keeping, until I 
could return them to their commands." 

I made him give me his keys, and then I unlocked 
the Union men, and j^ut one of the iron collars on 
Doctor Davis' neck, and locked him to the hind end 
of one of the wagons. The doctor's brother cried, 
and said he would rather see him shot than treated 
that way, and begged of me to let him go. I told 
him that such treatment was no worse for rebs than 
it was for good Union men. I had hardly stepped 
away from the doctor when the Union men pitched 
into him, and I guess they would have killed him 
in a very few minutes if I had not interfered. I 
was very sorry afterward that I did n't let them 
do him justice. 

We loaded the fifty-six wagons with oats, corn, 



318 FOUK YEARS 

and bacon, from the doctor's plantation, and then 
burned every thing that was left. While the 
wagons were being loaded, some Indians that lived 
near by came to us, and seeing that I had the doctor 
chained, said: "Bad man; very bad man. Be glad 
he 's gone." 

As soon as I reached camp, I reported to General 
McPherson who I had captured. He said, " Doctor 
Davis is notorious for his cruelty to loyal people. 
Bring your prisoner in." 

While I was gone for the prisoner, General Sher- 
man and General Logan came over, and were there 
when 1 entered with him. General Sherman asked 
him a few questions, and then gave him a most se- 
vere upbraiding for his barbarous cruelty. When 
the Generals had all given him , a piece of their 

minds, he was turned over to me to take care of, 

. . . * . . 

with permission to kill him if I wanted to. 

The next morning I took him out into the woods 
alone, to see what I could do toward scaring him. 
I chained him to a tree, and then, drawing my re- 
volver, told him that I was going to kill him. He 
begged of me to spare his life. 

"Yes," said I, "the ox is yours now; why didn't 
^''ou think of that when lo3^al men begged of you for 
mercy? You have no time to beg ; you had better 
go to praying." 

He plead and cried, and finally prayed. As much 
as he deserved death, I hadn't the heart to kill 
him ; so I returned him to his place behind the 
wagon. He was made to travel all the way to 
Vicksburg with the collar and chain fast to his neck. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 319 

Sometimes tlie driver would stop his team, and wait 
till tlie teams ahead would go three or four hundred 
yards. Then he would crack up his team, and make 
the doctor run to keep up, and, while running, he 
would have to hold on to the chain with both hands, 
to keep it from dragging him by the neck. At 
Yicksburg he was tried by court-martial, and sen- 
tenced to confinement on Johnson's Island. 

When the army arrived at Jonesboro, on its re- 
turn. General McPherson sent me, with a squad of 
nine men, into the country to hunt up forage. We 
were all mounted. When we had gone about eight 
miles to the north-west, we came to a small stream 
that flowed within deep perpendicular banks, and a 
few yards beyond the stream we came to a house, 
where we dismounted. I went to the stable in search 
of horses and mules. On returning to the yard, in 
front of the house, I found my men gathered in a 
circle around a young lady that had come out of the 
house. She was dressed extravagantly gay and rich, 
evidently in expectation of a visit from somebody. 
Her gciy appearance had had something to do in 
gathering the men around her. 

"Boys,^' said I, "don't you know better than 
to huddle together in that way for bushwhackers 
to shoot at? One shot would kill two or three of 
you." 

"That's so, Bunker," said they, scattering out, 
"What are you dressed up so nice for?" said I 
to the lady. " Who 's coming to see you?" 

" I a'n't dressed up; this is my every-day attire." 
"You needn't lie to me in that way, there is 



320 FOUR YEARS 

somebody coming to see you, and if you do n't tell 
me who it is, I '11 burn your house down." 

" Perhaps, if joii stay here long enough, you will 
find out who it is." 

"Whereabouts is General Ross' command?" 

'' He is not far from here." 

" Well, where is he ? " 

" Down in the woods yonder." 

" Come on, boys, we '11 go down and see ! " 

We mounted and rode down into the woods ; there 
I discovered a Q'reat manv fresh horse-tracks. I 
ordered the bo3"S to dismount and form a skirmish 
line. We had hardly got into position, when a Con- 
federate General made his appearance on a rise of 
ground in our front, a hundred yards distant, coming 
toward us. When he had ascended fairly to the top 
of the hill, he halted to look. He was the richest 
dressed General that I ever saw. His uniform was 
heavily trimmed with gold lace, and his saddle, bri- 
dle, and holsters were mounted with gold. The 
General was straight, and well proportioned, and 
made a splendid appearance. I presumed that it 
was General Ross, on his way to visit the young 
lady. 

" Jim," said I to the man nearest me, whom I 
knew to be a good shot, " why do n't you shoot that 
General ? 

Jim fired, but missed him. We gave chase, and 
fired twelve or fifteen shots at him, but, in the ex- 
citement of the occasion, we all missed him. We 
followed about forty rods, then returned to our horses, 
recrossed the bridge, tore it up, stationed ourselves 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 321 

behind trees, and waited for the approach of the en- 
emy, who, I felt sure, would give chase. We had 
not waited long until the expected enemy came. We 
opened fire on them as they came up, which was 
kept up by us for several minutes, and returned with 
equal vigor by them. Finding they made no im- 
pression on us, they withdrew. Suspecting that they 
knew of some other place to cross the stream, I told 
the boys to " light out." We were hardly in saddle 
till we saw the rebels coming from another direc- 
tion. They had crossed the creek, intent on our 
capture. Away we went, and the rebs after us. It 
was now nip and tuck who had the fastest horses. 
Fortunately for us, during our absence the 16th 
Corps had moved out on the road that we were on, 
and gone into camp, and we had only about three 
miles to ride before we ran into our own lines. The 
rebs kept up the chase until they were fired into by 
our pickets. I never learned whether we injured 
any of the rebs or not ; my own men received no in- 

Two days' further marching brought the army 
within four miles of Pearl River Swamp, where it 
halted to lay a pontoon bridge across Pearl River. 
While the army was waiting, I was ordered by 
Greneral Leggett to get a detail of eighteen men from 
the 32d Ohio Infantry, in addition to which I had 
a squad of nine that had been on detail with me for 
several days. With these I was to go after forage, 
and be ready to start at daylight the next morning. 
I got horses for my men, and had them all ready that 
night. In the morning we started for General Leg- 
21 



322 FOUR YEARS 

gett's head-quarters for special instructions. On the 
way I met a Lieutenant of the 23d Indiana Infantry, 
with a detail of ninety men, all mounted. He said 
to me, "Bunker, what is your detail for?" 

I told him that I was going after forage. He 
said, "I am ordered to take command of all forage 
parties to-day. You and your men fall in with me." 
The men, supposing it was all right, fell in, except 
one. I knew well enough that he had lied. He 
wore shoulder-straps and I wore none. I was vexed. 
I sat on my horse and watched his movements. He 
rode on to the head of his command, with more as- 
suming dignity than a Major-General with a com- 
mand of a hundred thousand men. He paid no at- 
tention to his men, and they strung out behind long 
enough for a good sized regiment. I told the man 
that had remained with me to go on, and tell the 
men of my detail that I wanted them to run with 
me, and to drop back behind till I came up. This 
they did, without being missed by the Lieutenant. 
I got them all back but one man. The Lieutenant 
filed to the left at the first left-hand road ; I went on 
to the second left-hand road, and then filed left. I 
calculated to let the Lieutenant have the outside 
track, and I would forage inside his operations. 
After turning to the left, we went a mile, and then 
took a track that led to the right, down through a 
field, and then into a piece of woods, until we came 
to a creek, with a steep bank on the side that we 
were on that was four feet down to the Avater. We 
could only get our animals down the bank by push- 
ing them. In this we succeeded. The opposite bank 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 323 

we ascended without difficulty. We were then about 
five miles from where the Lieutenant and I parted. 
Going on a few yards further, I heard the sound of 
voices, and motioned to the boys to stop. We lis- 
tened, and could distinctly hear loud talking, and oc- 
casionally such expressions as "thar," "you all," 
and "gwine," which led us to conclude that we were 
coming upon a party of rebs. I knew that Carson's 
cavalry was somewhere not far distant, and readily 
enough suspected that the talking we heard was 
from his men. To retrace our steps was impossible, 
owing to the nature of the opposite bank of the 
stream. To remain long where we were was dan- 
gerous. "Boys," said I, "we must do one of two 
things — either fight these rebs or go to Andersonville. 
Which will you do ? " 

" Try 'em a whack, Bunker.' 

"Well, then, tie your horses, and get into a line 
of skirmishers, and I '11 ride cautiously forward and 
see what's there. I went so near that I saw two 
Confederate soldiers and a nigger, clad in Confederate 
uniform. This confirmed my suspicions that we had 
run into Carson's cavalry. I concluded that our 
only hope lay in the trial of strategy. From the 
voices that I heard, the party, whoever they were, 
greatly outnumbered mine. 

Having placed myself at the rear of my command, 
I shouted, at the top of my voice, "Attention 

BATTALION ! CoMPANY A, ON THE RIGHT, AND B, 
ON THE LEFT, DEPLOY AS SKIRMISHERS ! FoRWARD 

— DOUBLE-QUICK — MARCH ! " Away the boys went. 
Then I shouted, "'Battalion — forward — double- 



324 FOUR YEARS 

QiJiCK — MARCH ! " I was the battalion. I kept on 
giving commands, as we advanced, as loud as I could 
yell, as if I was commanding a full regiment of in- 
fantry. The strategy had its effect. The party did 
not wait to see who we were, but very unceremo- 
niously "lit out." We only got sight of three per- 
sons ; those were the two Confederate soldiers and 
nigger that I have mentioned, who remained behind 
for us to capture. We now found out that we had 
stampeded a party of Federal soldiers. They had 
left two yoke of oxen and a wagon, loaded with a 
barrel of sugar, a sack of flour, and nice hams. On 
top of the load was a roll of carpeting. The fleeing 
party had left along their line of flight great num- 
bers of nice hams, that they had thrown away in 
their efforts to escape. The three persons that we 
had captured had hauled the stuff down into the 
woods that morning, to hide it from the Yankees. 
A party of Federal soldiers had discovered the track, 
and followed it up, and were in the act of appro- 
priating the best of the hams to their own use, when 
we surprised them. We took possession of the prop- 
erty, and started on, keeping a plantation road that 
wound its way round to the main road, on which 
the army was encamped. 

Shortly before coming out on the main road, I 
halted my party to give the oxen a chance to rest. 
While there, the 11th Illinois Cavalry and a brigade 
of infantry were seen coming out on the road that 
we were on, with battle-flags flying. Coming up to 
us, they halted. At the head of the command, with 
the Colonel of the 11th Illinois Cavalry, was the 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 325 

Lieutenant of the forage party and a private of tne 
23d Indiana Infantry. Said the private to me: 

"Bunker, was there a carpet on that wagon?" 

"Yes; but we threw it away." 

"Was there a barrel of sugar?" 

"Yes." 

"And a sack of flour?" 

"Yes." 

Turning to the Lieutenant, "Here is your wagon." 

"Do you claim that wagon, Lieutenant?" I in- 
quired. 

"I do n't know as it is my wagon." 

"If it is, just say so; I do n't know as one soldier 
is better than another. These supplies are for this 
noble army. If they are yours, just say so ; then 
I '11 tell how I came by them." 

"I don't know as I care who has them; only I 
would like to have had one of those hams for my 
dinner." 

"Well, why didn't you save one of the hams that 
you threw away, if you wanted one so bad?" 

"I declare!" said the Colonel, "if this a'n't a 
pretty flirt! A brigade of infantry and a battalion of 
cavalry sent out to attack Bunker and his squad!" 

The Colonel then moved with his command back 
to camp, and I reported with my forage to General 
Leggett. 

The next day I took out a squad of six men on a 
road leading to the north-west. Two miles out I 
came to a cross-road leading down to Pearl River. 
JNTear the corners stood a dwelling-house, and in the 
yard lay a dead horse, which, from appearances, 



326 FOUR YEARS 

had been killed only a few minutes before. Riding 
into the yard, and reining up to the door of the 
house, I called the occupants out, who proved to 
be a widow lady and two daughters. I inquired how 
the horse came to be killed in her yard. At first 
she refused to tell. By threatening to burn her 
house, I succeeded in drawing out the information 
that a Federal soldier had been there but a few 
minutes, when a Confederate Colonel, an Adjutant, 
and a servant rode into the yard; the servant was 
mounted on a mule. The Federal soldier, seeing 
them, rushed out of the house and fired his piece at 
the Adjutant, and then rushed at the Colonel with 
his bayonet. The shot missed the Adjutant and 
killed his horse. The Colonel shot the soldier in 
the right arm and disabled him. The Adjutant 
left the servant to shift for himself, mounted the 
mule, and rode ofl:' with the Colonel toward Pearl 
River. They hurried their prisoner off as fast as 
he could go, without giving him time to tie up his 
wound. Having learned this, I said, "Come on, 
boys ! we can outrun a mule, and perhaps we can 
catch them." Away we went, under full spur, A 
chase of a little over two miles brought us in sight of 
a dwelling-house, where, by the roadside, was hitched 
a horse and a mule, and sitting upon the porch was 
a Federal soldier. 

The Colonel and Adjutant had entered the house 
and called for a snack. The man of the house re- 
plied, "Really, Colonel, I should like to get you 
something to eat, but I am afraid the Yankees will 
be upon you before my servants can get it ready." 




1 . iflPlillli' 

H4lH!JillkL,WlliJlilil.iliililillLl!ll:lillilllim 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 329 

" !N'o they won't; they are afraid of me. The cow- 
ardly sons of b s das n't follow me ! I 've got one 

of them now; if they come I'll get some more." 

The soldier, seeing us coming, and having heard 
the conversation, said : " The Colonel is a brave man, 
indeed; but, by the looks of things out here, he is 
gone up. Hearing that, they made a rush for their 
animals, and we lired a volley from our revolvers, 
which killed the Adjutant instantly. We emptied 
our revolvers at the Colonel ; but in the excitement 
of the occasion every shot missed, and he succeeded 
in mounting his horse and starting off toward the 
river. By the time he was in his saddle, I was 
wathin twenty feet of him. The chase was a des- 
perate one. The Colonel, at intervals of a few rods, 
would let drive a back-handed shot toward me, until 
he had emptied his piece. My horse would lay 
back his ears and open his mouth, and spring for- 
ward with all his force, as if to catch hold of the 
Colonel's horse with his teeth. A mile and a half 
brought us to the river. I had gained at least ten 
feet. The Colonel's horse splashed into the water, 
and mine gave a leap and came nearly up, and then 
outswam his, till I came near enough to strike the 
Colonel on the back of the head with the butt of my 
revolver, which considerably stunned him, and en- 
abled me get his horse by the bridle. 

"Surrender," said I, "or I'll kill you!" 

"I'm your prisoner," said the Colonel. 

" Bring him out," shouted the boys, who, by this 
time, had come up. 

We conducted the prisoner back to the house, 



330 FOUR YEARS 

where we found the soldier, still bleeding and very 
weak from the loss of blood. He belonged to the 
32d Ohio Infantry. He said that he had asked the 
woman of the house for a rag with which to tie up 
his wound, which she refused to give him, adding, 
" I hope you will bleed to death." We dressed the 
wound as well as we could, and then took care of the 
woman's rags by setting fire to the house and out- 
buildings. We then carried the soldier to his regi- 
ment, and the Colonel to General McPherson's head- 
quarters, r 

After crossing Pearl River, very little occurred 
of interest in my individual experience during the 
march back to Vicksburg. A great many forage 
parties and straggling soldiers were gobbled up by 
the enemy during the raid; but, though I was out 
with men under my charge nearly every day, I 
never lost a man during the entire campaign, which 
lasted thirty days. On the march from Canton to 
Vicksburg the troops were not allowed to destroy 
property. The raid was a demonstration of the 
feasibility of the plan of campaigning, which was 
afterward inaugurated by General Sherman in the 
state of Georgia. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 331 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

Starts home on veteran furlough — Trouble at the table — Bluffs 
the Captain — Suspected of being a rebel spy — Commissioned 
officer serves him at the table — Kind attentions at home — Si- 
lences an old maid — Returns to the front — Shot at twenty-one 
times — The remedy — A Union lady — The dwarf weaver — The 
weaver beheaded — Goes into Marietta as a spy — Confederate 
side of the lines — Escape from' the rebs — General McPherson's 
death — Hard fighting. 

Eaely in March, 1864, my regiment went home 
from Vicksburg on veteran furlough, and I accom* 
paniecl it. Every thing passed off pleasantly on our 
homeward trip, save that, now and then, it became 
difficult for a man like myself, without shoulder- 
straps, to get admitted to the table for meals. We 
were embarked on board the steamer Continental. 
She had on board, besides our own, a Xew York 
regiment, going home from Xew Orleans. I was a 
stranger to them, and was frequently halted by them 
when they were on guard. This I might have pre- 
vented by procuring an order, or pass, entitling me 
to the full privilege of the boat ; but I chose to keep 
my real character disguised, except to such as per- 
sonally knew me. 

On one occasion, after having imbibed rather 



332 FOUR TEARS 

freely at the bar — nothing unusual for some soldiers 
on veteran furlough to do — I sat down to dinner 
without having procured a ticket, and placed a five- 
dollar bill by the side of my plate for the clerk of 
the boat to take his pay from. The Captain's son 
came round for tickets, in place of the clerk, and, 
seeing my bill lying there, and supposing that I was 
in too happy a frame of mind to take notice of so 
slight a mistake, picked it up and walked off. 

That aroused my anger — or rather my liquor — 
and I called out, " Stop ! you d — d thieving son of a 
\) — h! Bring back that money." Finding that he 
was caught in the act, he came back and gave me 
the change. While he was making the change, I 
gave him a regular cursing. The chaplain of the 
JNfew York regiment was sitting at the- table oppo- 
site to me. The loud talking brought crowds of offi- 
cers and others to see what was up, and with them 
the boy's father, who took me to task for such disre- 
spect to his boat in presence of the chaplain. 

" Chaplain, h— 1 ! " said I. " Do you think that I 
would sit here and see your son steal my money 
without saying any thing ? He deserves something 
worse than curses. He ought to have his neck 
stretched. As for chaplains, they are no better tha]|^ 
other folks. Some will steal, or hire soldiers to do 
it for them. We had a chaplain in our regiment, 
who said to me once, 'Bunker, can't you bring me 
in a good horse?' 'Yes, I can bring you in a good 
horse.' 'Well, I wish you would. I can't pay you 
the full value of the horse, but I '11 pay you for your 
trouble.' ' Oh, never mind the trouble, chaplain,' 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 333 

said I; 'you .preach the boys a good sermon some 
Sunday morning, and I'll steal you a horse!' " 

When I had finished my reply, the Captain dis- 
appeared in one direction and the chaplain in an- 
other, in a midst of a roar of laughter from those 
gathered around. I heard no more from the Cap- 
tain about disgracing his boat in the presence of 
chaplains. 

At Memphis, we changed from t*he steamer Con- 
tinental to a Memphis and Cincinnati packet. G-en- 
eral Breman took passage with us as far as Cairo, 
111., and, being the senior officer in rank on board, 
was in command of the troops. It is customary, 
when troops are on board transports, to have a guard 
and an officer of the day, whose duty it is to pre- 
serve order, subject to the instructions of the com- 
manding officer. 

The next morning after we left Memphis, Captain 
Ayres, of the 20th Ohio Infantry, was the officer of 
the day. On reporting to General Breman for in- 
structions, he was informed that there was a " sus- 
picious character " on board. He pointed me out 
to the Captain, and told him that I came on board 
at Memphis, and that, in all probability, I was either 
a rebel spy or an incendiary, watching an opportunity 
to burn up the boat. He instructed the Captain to 
watch me, and if my actions confirmed his suspi- 
cions, to arrest me and place me under guard. The 
Captain was personally acquainted with me, but 
kept the fact to himself. As soon as an opportunity 
offered, the Captain told me what the General had 
said ; so I resolved to see how he would act when he 



834 FOUR YEARS 

found out who I was. Walking back to the after- 
cabin, I found General Force and General Breman 
engaged in reading. Said I to the latter, saluting 
him, " General Breman, you do n't know me, do 
you ? " 

"Not that I know of" 

" You do n't remember of having me arrested in 
Tennessee as a rebel spy ? I am a ' suspicious char- 
acter;' you had better watch me." 

"That's Mr. Ruggles, General," said General 
Force; "he's a useful man. He's a valuable scout." 

"Ah ! " said Breman, remembering his instructions 
to the officer of the day, and coloring slightly, " I 
did n't know what to make of you. / did suspect your 
loyalty y 

"I'm loyal enough, but I am among the rebs so 
much that I sometimes act like one." The officer 
of the day was saved the necessity of placing me 
under arrest. 

Before reaching Cincinnati, the boat supplies be- 
came so nearly exhausted that it became necessary 
to issue an order forbidding any but commissioned 
officers and their attaches being furnished with meals 
by the boat. There were so many to eat that it gen- 
erally required the table to be set three times before 
all would be supplied. The first time the table was 
set after the order was issued, I called at the clerk's 
office to buy a ticket for dinner for myself and a 
friend, and was refused on the plea that the order 
forbid furnishing meals to enlisted men. M}^ friend 
and I then seated ourselves at the table, but were 
ordered away by the steward. On our refusing to 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 835 

go, he reported us to the clerk, who came and or- 
dered us away. I told him that we were entitled to 
get our meals there, and if he could n't furnish us a 
waiter, I 'd get a commissioned officer to wait on us. 
I then ordered a waiter to serve us, but the clerk 
countermanded it. Just then Captain Bostwick, of 
the 20th Ohio Infantry, was passing by us. 

"Here, Captain," said I; "these men have got 
above their business. They won't wait on us be- 
cause we ha' n't got on shoulder-straps. Can't you 
wait on a poor soldier?" 

" Certainly, gentlemen ; what will you have, roast 
beef or boiled ham?" 

" Some of the beef, if you please, Captain." 

Away went the Captain with our plates. General 
Force, having heard our words, now made his ap- 
pearance. "General," said I, "this man and I fare 
rather slim ; they wo n't give us any thing to eat on 
this boat unless we have a man with shoulder-straps 
to wait upon us." 

"Clerk," said the General, "let these men have 
what they want to eat. That man there (pointing 
to my friend) is a commissioned officer, and the 
other man is a great deal more deserving of his 
meals than I am." 

" I beg your pardon, gentlemen," said the clerk. 
"Waiter, serve these men." 

" Never mind the waiter, clerk. We do n't want 
any of your trash around us ; we have commissioned 
officers to serve us'^ The Captain served us till we 
had finished our meal, very much to the amusement 
of those looking on. 



836 FOUR TEARS 

On my arrival in Ohio, I found that my reputa- 
tion as a scout and spy had preceded me, and vvhere- 
ever I went I could scarcely make my appearance 
on the street without having a crowd gather around 
me, eager to hear my experience in Dixie. I was 
pressed Avith invitations to call upon people whom I 
had never seen or heard of before. Circumstances, 
beyond my control, rendered my position an embar- 
rassing one. We were to have been paid our bounty, 
back pay, and veteran bounty at Columbus, 0., but, 
by the carelessness of the commissary of musters 
that mustered me, my veteran papers were lost, so 
that I drew no pay, and, consequently, my clothes 
were ragged and my pocket empty. Embarrassing 
as this was to me, it seemed to have very little in- 
fluence with others, and ladies in silk would listen 
with intense interest to the narratives of the ragged 
soldier. 

I am proud that I live in a country where patri- 
otism, valor, and services rendered to the Govern- 
ment, are more highiy appreciated than dress or a 
lavish expenditure of money. My war-worn clothes 
did not diminish the number of my friends and ad- 
•mirers, otherwise my veteran visit would have been 
an unhappy one. 

In the course of my visiting, I spent an evening 
at a farm-house, where was boarding the school- 
mistress of the district school. ' She was a lady aged 
forty-two years — my age exactly — and would usually 
be called an " old maid." Her tongue was as flex- 
ible as mine ; indeed, I found it hard to get the start 
of her. At first, we were shy of each other ; she was 



A 6C0UT AND SPY. 337 

afraid of soiling her silk, and I was afraid to sliow 
my rags. Our seats were at opposite sides of the 
room. Gradually, however, our interest in each 
other's stories increased, and our distance apart as 
gradually diminished, until, finally, we were sitting 
side by side, and became the center of attraction for 
the evening by our narratives, alternately told — hers 
of school-teaching experience and mine of army ex- 
perience. At last she said : " Mr. Ruggles, I should 
like to know how you learned to practice the art of 
deception, as you did, among the Southern people. 
They are not all fools, are they?" 

"JN'o, ma'am, they are not all fools." 

" Really, then, I should like to know how you 
learned it." 

" I '11 tell you, if you will permit me to do so." 

"I should like to know." 

" I learned it in paying my respects to old maidsy 

^^There! there! that will do!^^ and away she went 
to the opposite side of the room, much to the amuse- 
ment of the company present. For the remainder 
of the evening I had to keep at a respectable distance 
from her. 

Our veteran furloughs having expired, we reported 
to General Leggett, at Cairo, Illinois, who sent me 
to Clifton, Tennessee, to report to General M. F. 
Force for duty. He sent me to Pulaski, a distance 
o( sixty-two miles, with dispatches. A squad of 
twenty men, under command of a Lieutenant from a 
battalion of Tennessee cavalry, was sent with me as 
an escort. The entire battalion of cavalry — in all, 
four hundred men — had been in the Confederate 
22 



338 FOUR YEARS 

service. They were captured at the taking of Fort 
Donelson, and had been released by the Federal 
authorities, and had enlisted in the Federal service. 
They had been running the courier line to Pulaski, 
but had never got through with their dispatches. 
The men of the battalion lived in the country lying 
between Clifton and Pulaski. 

Soon after starting out from Clifton, my cavalry 
escort began to drop oif, one at a time, to visit their 
homes, and when I arrived at Pulaski I had but 
two of my escort with me — one was the Lieutenant 
and the other a Sergeant. I went through without 
being molested, but I came to the conclusion that 
'•^Confederate-Federal cavalry " was of but little service 
to the Government. I never could trust aJJnion-secesh! 
It is too much like serving God and Mammon. 
The Government has placed eniirehj too much confidence 
in that class of men. I would as soon trust a dog 
with my dinner. My life has many times been 
placed in jeopardy by such characters, and my con- 
victions are the result of experience. 

I returned to Clifton with dispatches alone, and 
without being molested. Two days after I was sent 
back again alone. I always passed over the most 
dangerous part of the route in the night. I went 
through undisturbed, but on my return I was shot 
at twenty-one times. At Lawrenceburg I was fired 
at from the dwelling-houses, as I passed through the 
place, without any challenge to halt. One man was 
standing on his porch, with his gun in his hand, 
evidently watching for me to come, and fired at me 
as I jpassed. Four miles from Lawrence I came to 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 339 

several cotton-factories ; the locality bore the reputa- 
tion of being loyal. There I was fired at, both from 
the factories and dwelling-houses. I went through 
both of these places under full spur. The last shot 
that was fired at me was by a man standing in the 
middle of the road, who challenged me to halt, and 
at the same time brought his piece to an aim. In- 
stead of halting, I put spurs to my horse and dashed 
by. I was not more than six feet from him when 
he fired, but, in the excitement of the moment, his 
shot missed me, and I passed on unharmed. I can 
assure the reader, from actual experience, that it is 
no very pleasant thing to be a mark for people to 
shoot at. I am fully convinced that it was citizens 
that fired at me, and that they had found out, through 
the cavalry, that I have mentioned, that I was a 
bearer of dispatches, and were watching for me. 

I delivered my dispatches to General Force, and 
told him that I was afraid to run the line alone. 
He gave me an order for twenty-one men, with the 
privilege of selecting men of my choice. Two days 
after, I again started to Pulaski, with my escort, 
who were infantry soldiers, mounted. Previous to 
starting, I told the General my plan of operation, to 
which he said, " Very well." I called at every house 
along the entire route. If the people were in bed, I 
made them get up, and said to them, "/awi running 
a courier line from Clifton to Pulaski, and you good, 
loyal 2^eoj)l6 have fired at me twenty-one times. If I am 
ever fired at again, whether I am killed or not, every 
man, looman, and child within four miles of this road, 
on either side, shall be shot, and your houses burned." 



340 FOUR YEARS 

All of them claimed to be innocent, and said they 
were quiet, peaceably-disposed citizens. I went 
through and back with my escort without being 
molested, and for three weeks after, I ran the line 
alone, without being disturbed. 

The disposition of the Southern people is very 
much like that of a butcher's Irish bull-dog. The 
more you try to coax and pet them, the more they 
will try to bite you ; but take a fire-brand and run 
at them, and they will sneak off as cowardly as can 
be. The more the Government coaxed and petted 
the Southern people, the worse they acted. If a favor 
was extended to them, they would snap and snarl 
at the hand that held it ; but go right at them, with 
a sword in one hand and a fire-brand in the other, 
and they cower down directly. So my barbarous 
threat proved a wholesome remedy. 

At the expiration of three weeks, General Leggett 
arrived at Clifton with the 3d Division of the 17th 
Army Corps, bringing with his command twenty-two 
hundred head of cattle for beef. The troops now 
prepared to march across to Georgia, to increase the 
force operating under General Sherman for the cap- 
ture of Atlanta. 

Preparatory to the marching of the troops, General 
Force sent me out on the road to Florence, to ascer- 
tain the locality of Roddy's cavalry — which was 
kno,wn to be hovering around — to prevent any at- 
tempt it might make to stampede the cattle. I 
found out that the cavalry, 4,000 strong, was at 
Florence, and that Bill Johnson commanded 900 
of Roddy's choicest men, and that he — Roddy — 



A SCOUT AND SPY. $M. 

had heard of the arrival of the cattle, and had 
ordered Johnson to be on the alert for an opportu- 
nity to stampede them. This I learned from citizens 
who seemed to be well informed of the intended 
movements of both forces. Having satisfied myself 
that the information was reliable, I did not go into 
Florence, but crossed over to the Nashville and 
Florence military road, which I came to seven miles 
from the latter place. I then went toward Law- 
renceburg, on my return to my command. Twelve 
miles from where I came into the road, I halted at 
a dwelling-house, and said to the man of the house, 
" Can I get my horse fed, and some supjDer here?" 

"Where do you belong?" 

" I belong to Bill Johnson's cavalr}'-, and I 'm going 
down to look up the Yankee beef-cattle." 

" Yes, yes ; come in. The servant will feed j^our 
horse. I hope you '11 succeed in finding the cattle." 

The servants were already engaged in pre]3aring 
supper for the family. Just before supper was 
announced, a daughter of the j^lanter came in. I 
should judge that she was about sixteen years old. 

" Mother," said she, " what are you doing with 
that man here? " 

" He 's one of Johnson's men, and he 's going 
down to hunt up the Yankee beef-cattle," was the 
reply. 

" Well, you had better watch him, or he '11 steal 
something before he leaves." 

" Behave yourself, and not insult the man in that 
way," said the mother. 

"I do behave. He ought to be insulted. You 



342 'FOUR YEARS 

are going down to hunt up the Yankees, are you?" 
she continued, addressing me. " You are a pretty 
object to be engaged in hunting up Yankees. The 
sight of one pair of blue breeches would make six such 
spared monuments of God-s mercy as you are get up and 
leaved 

At the table the impudent thing would watch me, 
and whenever she could get my eye, she would 
make faces at me, which she carried to such an ex- 
treme that her mother slapped her ears to make her 
be still. 

Whether the whole family were loyal, or only the 
daughter, or whether the daughter was secesh, and 
tried only to draw out my true character, the reader 
alone must judge ; my duties were such that I dare 
not trust any of them. 

I reached Clifton without being disturbed. 

On the arrival of the troops to within two miles 
of Lawrenceburg, I was sent ahead to that place, 
with instructions to go out on the military road 
toward Florence, and see if Johnson was coming. I 
had an escort of fourteen men from the 11th Illinois 
Cavalry. When we had gone three miles on the 
military road, we came suddenly upon a dwarfish 
looking man, mounted on a horse, who was wonder- 
fully frightened at our unexpected meeting. 

" How far have you come on this military road?" 
I inquired of him. 

" I have come from Florence." 

"Did you see any of Bill Johnson's cavalry on 
the road?" 

"No, sir; there is no cavalry on the road. Roddy's 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 343 

cavalry is at Florence; tlicre is none this side of 
there." 

"Look here, you are lying to me," I s'aid, eying 
him closely. A'n't there any cavalry camped at 
Shoal Creek? " 

"No, sir; if there is I did not see them." 

" You are lying to me sure. Johnson's cavalry is at 
Shoal Creek, not more than a mile and a half from 
here, and you could not pass without seeing it. You 
belong to the cavalry, and have been sent out to 
see if the Yankees are coming with the cattle." 

"]N^o, indeed, I don't belong to them," he per- 
sisted ; " I am no soldier, and did not see any sol- 
diers along the road. I am a weaver by trade, 
and do not belong to the army." 

" Well, go with us ; we '11 find out whether you are 
a soldier or not." His fright now turned into terror. 
We went about a mile, when we met Johnson's cav- 
alry coming up, and were obliged to turn back. As 
we turned, one of the cavalry, with a single stroke of 
his saber, severed the weaver's head from his body, 
and left him for his comrades to take care of. I have 
no doubt whatever but that he was a scout for John- 
son, and that he calculated his being a dwarf would 
clear all suspicion of his belonging to the army. 

I reported the approach of Johnson to General 
Leggett, who threw out a brigade of infantry in line 
of battle, and prevented an attack upon the cattle. 

At Huntsville, Alabama, the ague came on me so 
bad that I was unable for duty. Leaving my horse 
with a scout that had run with me considerable, I 
went to the hospital. I did not like the looks of 



344 FOUR TEARS 

things there, so I got sent on to Chattanooga, where 
I remained four clays, at the end of which time I 
felt a little better, and resolved to go back to the 
front. Hospital discipline and I could not agree 
very well. I went to a member of General Mc- 
pherson's staif and told him what I wanted, and he 
gave me a pass to report to Greneral Sherman, 
wherever I could find him. I came up with him 
just at the opening of the Buzzard's Roost fight, in 
which I took a part. From there I w^as with the 
advanced guards until we came to Resaca, at which 
place I assisted, on the right flank, in fighting 
Wheeler's cavalry. I kept along with the advance 
of the army until we arrived at Kingston, where 
General Leggett's command formed a junction with 
us. There I found my horse. From there I had 
nothing of particular interest to do until the rebs 
were driven to the Kenesaw Mountain. 

At that place General McPherson sent for me, and 
asked me if I thought I could go into Marietta and 
get back again. I told him I could, if allowed to 
take my own ]3lans to accomplish it, which he said 
I might do. He told me to go in and find out 
whether the battery that commands' the. approach 
along the railroad 'is a masked one, and count the 
guns ; see whether any State militia were there, and 
whether any part of the line was held by them, and 
whether they were mixed in with other troops. I 
was to examine the enemy's first line of works, and 
see how far they extended ; and how deep the ditches 
were, and whether I thought it practicable to carry 
them by assault. He gave me fifty dollars in green- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 345 

backs to defray my expenses, and sent me to Major- 
Gcneral Logan for a Confederate uniform and some 
Confederate money. Thus equipped, I started out 
the next day on horseback. I passed along our lines 
to the extreme left, to General Grarrard's head-quar- 
ters, where I left my papers, and procured a pass 
through the lines. I passed the vedettes about noon, 
and proceeded on in an easterly direction until I 
reached Canton, sixteen miles from General Mo- 
Pherson's head-quarters. There I staid all night. In 
the morning I resumed my journey, on a road lead- 
ing south, and halted for the night at a small vil- 
lage on the Chattahoochee River, called Roswell Fac- 
tories, twenty-eight miles from Canton. The next 
morning a division of South Carolina cavalry came 
along from the east, just as I was ready to start out. 
I fell in and attached myself to company A, of the 
1st South Carolina, and represented myself as be- 
longing to the 11th Texas Cavalry — which I knew 
TYas in our front when I started out — going to join 
my command. The explanation proved satisfactory, 
and I kept along with them till we reached Marietta, 
a distance from Roswell Factories of eighteen miles. 
Then I left them, under pretense of going to my own 
regiment, and went north along the railroad, until I 
came to the battery that I was directed to visit. It 
contained twelve large guns well masked. I then 
turned to the right and rode along the first line of 
intrenchments. About eighty rods from the masked 
battery I found a six-gun battery of small guns, and 
about eighty rods further on was another six-gun 
battery of small guns. 



346 FOUR YEARS 

About midway between the two six-gun batteries, 
I came upon a small squad of militia that had been 
digging a spur from the main ditch for a rifle-pit. 
One of the party stepped out of a pit that he had 
just completed, and for a moment contemplated the 
result of his labor, and then said: "IN'ary a Yankee 
is gwine to come up thar ; thar is whar I '11 stay, 
and thar is whar I '11 die ! " When we came in pos- 
session of the place, however, we found no dead 
bodies ^'•thar.^^ 

Down under the hill from the six-gun batteries, 
toward Marietta, I found a large force of State 
militia, who were holding the right of the rebel lines 
by themselves. There was nothing military in their 
appearance. Their camp was without regularity, 
and filthy in the extreme. Many of them had their 
families with them, and some of them had cows tied 
to their wagons. The dog and cat were not left be- 
hind. The tongues of their M^agons usually pointed 
outward, and boards laid across from one wagon- 
tongue to another served them as tables. Decrepit 
old men and little boys, women and babies, white 
and black, were there. The various kinds and cal- 
ibers of small arms were as numerous and different 
as the individuals that carried them. I thought to 
myself that it would be a fine place to throw a few 
big shells. It would have created , a panic, at a 
trifling expense, that would have ecli]3sed any thing 
in the history of the rebellion. 

The ditches of the first line I found to be four 
feet deep and six feet wide. A little to the right 
and front of the militia, I found a brigade of Texas 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 34T 

cavalry, com'posed, in part, of the 11th and 3d Texas 
Regiments ; two other Texas regiments made up the 
brigade. I went to the Orderly Sergeant of company 
A, of the 11th Texas, and told him that I belonged to 
company A of the 1st South Carolina Cavalry, and 
that my regiment had just come in that day, and 
that I had got separated from my command, and 
would like to stay with him over night, and then 
hunt up my regiment in the morning. He went to 
the Colonel and asked permission to keep me, which 
was granted. The Colonel of the 11th Texas was 
in command of the brigade. 

In the morning the brigade prepared to make a 
demonstration upon General Wilder's command; so 
I told the orderly that I would go along and see 
the fun. The command moved out a short distance 
and then halted. Just then an orderly rode up and 
handed the Colonel a dispatch, w^hich, when he had 
read, he sent the whole command back to camp ex- 
cept the company I was with ; with that he said he 
would go out and capture a Yankee vedette. We 
rode «n until we came to a narrow ridge of ground. 
As w^e were rising this, and just as we had reached 
its summit, we unexpectedly received five shots from 
Federal vedettes, which killed the Colonel and two 
privates. The command immediately broke to the 
rear and fled toward camp. I broke back with 
them until we reached the foot of the hill, when I 
turned to my right, and went up the hollow, I should 
judge about three hundred yards, and again ascended 
the ridge, and crossed to a little brook that flowed 
along the base of the hill, and crossed the road be- 



848 FOUR YEARS 

tween the vedettes and where the Colone'l was killed. 
A little below me, in the brook, was a Federal soldier, 
engaged in washing his face. His hat and gun were 
lying upon the bank. He was but a mere boy. 
Seeing me approach, he seized his gun, cocked it, 
and raised it to his face, when I called to him, " Hold 
on, my little man, I am a Federal soldier ; do n't 
shoot me ! " 

"Well, then, come in out of the wet! Don't you 
try to get away; if you do I '11 lore you! " 

The little fellow kept his piece leveled at me 
until I came up, and then marched me away to the 
reserve. He was so elated with his capture that he 
forgot his hat, and marched me in without it. 

From the reserve I was taken to General Wilder's 
head-quarters, and then to Colonel Miller's, where 
my horse was taken from me. From there I was 
taken to the corral of rebel prisoners, near Gen- 
eral Garrard's head-quarters, and turned in. I sat 
down upon a block of wood, near the entrance to 
the inclosure, and leaned my head upon my hands. 
I had been there but a moment, when a prisoner, 
discovering that I was a fresh arrival, stepped up 
and said, "To what command do you belong? " 

" Clear out, and do n't bother me," I replied; "I 'm 
mad now." 

The prisoners, seeing that I was not in a talking 
mood, left me to myself. Shortly after, the Adjutant- 
General came out and discovered me sitting there. 
I heard him call the sergeant of the guard, who 
shortly came to the entrance and said, "Halloa, there, 
you long-haired fellow ! you are wanted here." He 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 349 

took me into the head-qnarters, where 1 received the 
papers that I had left there, and an order for my 
horse and a pass to General McPherson's head- 
quarters, where I arrived after an absence of three 
days and a half. 

The information that I gathered showed that the 
enemy's right was the most advantageous point for 
us to attack; so much so, that it was thought by 
good judges that a single army corps could easily 
haA^e entered Marietta. General Sherman, however, 
was not left to choose his place of attack, for the next 
morning the enemy made a furious assault upon our 
right, against General Hooker's command. The on- 
slaught was impetuous and the pressure tremendous, 
but was heroically resisted. For a time it seemed 
as if Hooker's entire command would be swept away 
by the masses that were hurled against it. It was 
enough, however, that "Fighting Joe" was there to 
animate his troops by his noble bearing. 

The action was sustained in all its fury, and grad- 
ually spread from right to left, until the whole line 
was engaged, and lasted until, overpowered by the 
boys in blue, the enemy broke and fled, resulting in 
a complete victory to the Federal arms, with the 
possession of Kenesaw Mountain and Marietta. 

The next day, at my request, General McPherson 
and staif, accompanied by General Leggett, went 
with me to see the places that I had described in 
my report. After we had visited them, General Mc- 
Pherson said that he was convinced that I had re- 
ported correctly. I mention this because it is not 
uncommon for spies to go out, and, on their return, 



350 • FOUR YEARS 

report that wliicli they knew nothing about. It 
was a satisfaction for me to know that he was sat- 
isfied that I had visited the places that I had de- 
scribed. 

Greneral Sherman continued to press the enemy 
toward Atlanta, and his victory at Kenesaw Mount- 
ain was followed by an advance of his lines to with- 
in two miles of that place, and extending around 
three sides of it. 

The 20th day of July, Greneral Hood's supersedure 
of General Johnston in the command of the Confed- 
erate army was inaugurated by a furious attack 
upon the 4th and 14th Corps, comprising General 
Sherman's center. Very much to our satisfaction, 
General Johnston's slow-retreating process of cam- 
paign was changed to one of rapid evolutions, and 
bold, desperate dashes. Our greatest difficulty had 
been to get the enemy to fight. This we now had 
an opportunity of doing. The hardy veterans of the 
North-west received the attack with coolness and 
determination, and, though the enemy came in massed 
columns, they stood their ground, dealing out death 
and destruction, until Hood was glad to withdraw, 
leaving his dead and wounded in our hands. 

On the morning of July 22d, General McPherson 
was informed, by a member of his staff, that he had 
heard, during the night, a noise like the moving of 
artillery, which he surmised to be the enemy evacu- 
ating Atlanta. General McPherson thought the 
officer was mistaken about the evacuation of the 
place. The noise of moving troops, he thought, was 
probably a body of rebel cavalry that had moved out 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 351 

on our left flank, which hiy stretched along on the 
east side of the place. 

To clear up the matter, General McPherson told 
me to take my horse and ride out to Decatur, which 
was four miles distant, and from there out on the 
Stone Mountain road, and find out whether the en- 
eni}^ was there. He instructed me to go as far as I 
could, and not get captured. If I found the enemy, 
I was to drop back toward our line^, and feel along, 
at intervals, for the enemy toward our left. This was 
on the supposition that the enemy might have a line 
extending around our left flank and along its rear. 

Three-quarters of a mile out from Decatur, I came 
upon five rebel soldiers on picket. They challenged 
me to halt, but I had no intention of halting there ; 
so I wheeled about and "lit out." The rebs might 
have shot me as well as not. I returned to our lines, 
and went out on another road, and had proceeded 
but about half a mile, when I came upon more rebel 
pickets. They did not fire at me. I tried to get 
out, in all, at thirteen different places, and every 
time encountered pickets, none of whom tried to 
shoot me. I was well satisfied that the noise of 
moving troops, heard in the night, were infantry and 
artillery moving round to our rear, intending to sur- 
prise us, and for that reason their pickets were for- 
bidden to fire upon individuals or small parties. 

I then hastened back and reported to General 
McPherson what I had seen. He wanted to know 
if I was sure the pickets were infantry, and I told 
him that I was. Pie seemed to doubt the possibility 
of their being infantry. He and his staff then rode 



352 FOUR YEARS 

out to our rear picket-line, on a road that I had not 
been out on, and, waiting there, he sent me out to 
see if I coukl find any pickets. I went about sixty 
rods, when I came to a dwelling-house, standing in 
a little opening in the woods that lined either side 
of the road. It was then about 11 o'clock, A. M., 
I had become very thirsty from constant riding in 
the hot sun since early in the morning; so I rode up 
to the door of th^ house, and inquired of a lady there 
if she would have the kindness to give me a drink 
of water. Said she, " I have just drawn a bucket 
of fresh water at the well, back there, and you can 
have some in welcome ; but I reckon you are a Fed- 
eral soldier, and if you stop to get it, you will get 
killed, for a Colonel and two of our soldiers have 
just this minute stepped away from the well." 
Without stopping to drink, I rode back into the 
road, and there, about two hundred yards further 
on, stood the Colonel and two soldiers. They did 
not fire at me, but the Colonel, who had his sword 
in his hand, gave it a defiant flourish, as if to say, 
"You '11 catch it directly." I went back to General 
McPherson, and reported what I had found, who 
then rode out with me and saw for himself. He 
said it was about noon, and he would go back to 
dinner and send out a reconnoitering party. 

While we were eating our dinner, a firing com- 
menced on the picket-line to the rear, and in less 
than five minutes an entire division was engaged. 
Brigades of troops had been stationed near the rear 
pickets as a reserve. It was these troops that were 
attacked. The troops known as the "Iowa Brigade " 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 353 

of the 17th Arni}^ Corps, were among the reserves. 
Against this brigade were massed such overwhelm- 
ing numbers, that it was compelled to give way and 
fall back. General McPherson immediately rode 
to the scene of action, and ordered up a brigade to 
its support. Anticipating that when the lirst shock 
of the onset was over the enemy would ease up, and 
swing round in mass against the rear of his left, he 
immediately dispatched his staft' with orders to the 
diiferent commanders to counteract such a move. 
He watched the progress of the action until sat- 
isfied that his presence was no longer needed there, 
and then started for the left. 

The fjilling back and changing of position of the 
Iowa brigade had left a gap in our lines to the rear. 
Through this a part of the rebel line advanced. As 
we were making our way along, we met the rebel 
skirmish-line, whose direction of advance had be- 
come changed by the broken character of the coun- 
try. A volley was fired at us, which instantly killed 
General McPherson, the ball passing in at one side 
and out at the other, piercing his heart and lungs ; 
another wounding his horse across the breast, and 
another wounding his horse across the neck, and 
another passed through the lower part of one of the 
forefeet of my horse, tearing off a shoe and leaving a 
groove across the entire foot. Seizing the General's 
horse by the bridle, I led him away out of danger. 

Two orderlies and a Captain of the Signal Corps 

were the only persons, besides myself, that were 

near the General when he fell. As soon as it was 

known that McPherson had fallen, Major-General 

23 



854 FOUR TEARS 

Logan took command of the Army of the Tennessee. 
I turned the horse over to the Captain of the Signal 
Corps, to take care of, who despatched an orderly 
to Colonel Clark, Assistant Adjutant-General of Mc- 
Pherson's staif, with the intelligence of his death. My 
horse was so lamed by his wound that I could not ride 
him, so I took him to Greneral Leggett's head-quar- 
ters and left him, took my gun and went to the front. 

By this time the action had become general along 
the Army of the Tennessee, and raged furiously in 
front and in rear. Attaching myself to the first 
regiment that I came to, the 18th Missouri Infantry, I 
fought with my rifle until the action was over. 

The contest was a desperate one, and the slaughter 
on both sides dreadful. Five times we jumped our 
works, fighting sometimes to the front and some- 
times to the rear. The action did not extend beyond 
the Army of the Tennessee. When the action had 
ceased, we were ordered to fall back a short distance 
and throw up intrenchments. The Colonel of the 
regiment I was with now saw me for the first time, 
and, from my dress, supposing that I was a reb. try- 
ing to evade capture, said to me : " Look 'e here, mis- 
ter, where do you belong?" 

" I am a member of the 20th Ohio Infantry, but 
I belong to Gen. McPherson's head-quarters." 

" What are you doing here ? " 

"I have been in the fight. I had my horse dis- 
abled in the beginning of the action, so I took my 
gun and went to fighting with your regiment, and I 
have been with it for two hours." I then handed 
him an order that General McPherson had given me, 



' A SCOUT AND SPY. 355 

which said, " Guards, pickets, and patrols will pass 
Corporal Lorain Ruggles, of the 20th Ohio Veteran 
Volunteer Infantry, who is on special duty, at all 
places and at all hours, without the countersign." 

When he had read it, he said, " May be General 
McPherson gave -you that and may be you stole it 
from the pocket of a dead soldier. You look to me 
more like a reh. than any thing else." 

I then showed him an order that General Leggett 
had given me to draw fresh beef for myself and 
scouts that messed with me. Having read it, he 
said, " It may all be right, but I do n't want such a 
looking man in my regiment ; if you have got a hole 
you had better hunt it." 

We won a victory, but at a fearful cost of life, of 
both officers and men. Among the fallen heroes of 
this war, there has been none more amiable in char- 
acter, none whose services were of more value to the 
Government, and none whose loss was more regretted 
by the men of his command than the brave, gallant 
McPherson. He was loved and highly esteemed by 
all that knew him. I can scarcely describe my sor- 
row at his loss. My attachment had become inti- 
mate, and I felt that I had not only lost my com- 
manding officer, but my most valued friend. Such 
feelings of sorrow and loneliness came over me that 
I was well-nigh incapacitated for duty. I had felt 
lonely when General Grant left the Army of the 
Tennessee, but now I scarcely knew what to do. 

Shortly after the battle of the 22d of July, Gen- 
eral Sherman changed his position by ordering the 
Army of the Tennessee to take its position on the 



856 FOUR YEARS 

right of the army, leaving the armies of the Ohio 
and the Cumberiand where they were. This move- 
ment enabled General Sherman to extend his right 
toward the junction of the railroad to the south of 
Atlanta. The movement having been effected, Gren- 
eral Logan, on the 28th of July, ordered the 16th 
Army Corj^s to advance its lines, and the 14th Corps, 
at the same time, to swing round its left, and the 
15th Corps to swing round its right, so that the 14th 
and 15th Corps formed converging lines toward the 
intrenchments from which the 16th Corps had ad- 
vanced. Greneral Hood ordered an attack on the 
advancing Corps, which, when it had fairly drawn 
on the engagement, as had been previously arranged, 
fell back as if beaten, until it reached its place of 
starting behind its intrenchments, closely followed 
by the enemy. The 16th Corps then poured a tre- 
mendous fire into Hood's front, and the 14th and 
15th Corps an oblique fire into his flanks. He kept 
pressing his men up in masses to the contest, until 
it seemed as if the entire Confederate army would 
be swept away by the terrible cross-fire to which it 
was exposed. The action lasted from 9 o'clock, A. 
M,, until 5 o'clock, P. M., when the enemy with- 
drew, leaving his dead and wounded in our hands. 
The loss of the enemy was five thousand killed, be- 
sides wounded and prisoners. Our loss was very 
light in comparison to that of the enemy. I had no 
hand in this fight, but had an excellent oppor- 
tunity of witnessing it. The next day I went over 
the battle-ground. The rebel dead lay so thick 
upon the ground that I could not ride along without 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 35T 

stepping on them, and was compelled to leave my 
horse and proceed on foot. The destruction of life 
to the enemy, compared with our own loss, was 
greater than in any other action that I have ever 
witnessed. 



V 



358 FOUR YEARS 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Goes to Ohio to recruit — Raises twenty-one men — DifiSculty with 
the Governor — Visits Lieutenant-General Grant — Order from 
the War Department — Again in difficulty — Runs away from the 
Governor — Reports to General Sherman — Georgia raid — An 
amusing coincident — Reports to General Granger, at Mobile — 
Reports to General Grierson, in Texas — Makes a trip to the 
Upper Colorado — Incident at General Grant's head-quarters — 
The war over. 

When General Grrant left the Western Depart- 
ment to take command of the armies of the United 
States, I felt very lonely and depressed in spirit, on 
account of being parted from one to whom I had be- 
come strongly attached. I might have accompanied 
the General to the Army of the Potomac, but I had 
no acquaintance with that part of the country, and 
I preferred to operate where I had some knowledge 
of army movements, as well as of the country and 
people. The death of General McPherson made me 
feel gloomy and discouraged, and in the absence from 
the department of my two most valued friends, I 
determined to seek relief for my depressed state of 
mind by attempting to raise an independent com- 
mand of my own, for secret service purposes. 

I visited Major-General Logan — then in command of 
the 15th Army Corps — and told him my state of mind, 



A iCOUT AND SPY. 359 

and that I felt as if I had rendered service valuable 
enough to the Government to entitle me to a com- 
mand of my own, and if he thought I was worthy 
of it, I wanted him to assist mc. He immediately 
drew up and gave me the following letter : 

" Head-quarters 15tii Army Corps^ ) 
" Before Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 15, 18(i4. j 

" Captain L. M. Dayton, Aid-de-camp Military Division^ of the 
Mississippi: 

■' Captain— The bearer, L. Ruggles, of the 20th Ohio Volun- 
teers, has been for two years iu the secret service of the Govern- 
ment, and has, during that time, made it his study to become ef- 
ficient in all its branches. Now, feeling confident in his ability, 
he wishes to raise a company of scouts, and wants authority to do 
so. I respectfully recommend that necessary authority be given 
him, believing him to be eminently fit to direct the movements of 
such a body of men. 

Under my directions, in the Mississippi campaign, through 
Holly Springs, Miss., and again in the Vicksburg campaign, he 
rendered the most signal service in obtaining information. He 
once entered the city of Vicksburg, during its investment, and re- 
turned with valuable and reliable information. If such authority 
can be, under any circumstances, granted, I respectfully recom- 
mend that it be granted him. 

" Very respectfully, John A. Logan, 

" Major- General Volunteers.^' 

I carried the letter to General Leggett, who placed 
on it the following indorsement: 

" Head-quarters 3d Division, 17th Army Corps, ) 
" Before Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 15, 18tJ4. J 

"I am well acquainted with said Loraiu Ruggles, and have been 
familiar with his career since he entered the secret service, and I 
can fully susbcribe to all that is said for him by Major-General 
Logan. 



360 FOUR YEARS 

*' During the most of his time lie has been in the secret service 
he has been under my direction. He has often had under his 
direction from six to thirty men, as scouts, and has always handled 
them with great skill, collecting valuable information and yet saved 
his men. " M. D. Leggett, 

" Brigadier- General^ 

From head-quarters 17th Army Corps, I received 
the following indorsement: 

" Head-quarters 17th Army Corps, ) 
"Near Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 15, 1864. j 

" Respectfully forwarded. Approved. 

"Frank P. Blair, ilfo/or-G^enera?." 

At Department of Army of the Tennessee, it was 
indorsed as follows: 



"Head-quarters Dep't. Army 

" Aua'ust 



RMY TeNN., ") 

15, 1864. j 



"Respectfully forwarded. "0. 0. Howard, 

" Major- General." 

The reader wdll bear in mind that I was a stranger 
to both Generals Blair and Howard. I then carried 
it to General Sherman, who disapproved it, as follows : 

" Head-quarters Military Division Mississippi, \ 
" In the Field, near Atlanta, Aug. 15, 1864. j 

" Respectfully returned. There is no general law for such or 
ganization as the within. General officers, when they have secret 
service funds, can employ men for such secret service. 

" States have had authority for raising independent companies 
of any kind that might be converted. 

" By order of Major-General W. T. Sherman. 

" L. M. Dayton, Aid-de-camp." 

I was disappointed with General Sherman's decis- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 361 

ion. I felt confident that there was some way by 
which I could get such a command as I wanted. I 
went to General Leggett for advice, who, after hav- 
ing read General Sherman's reasons for disapproval, 
wrote and handed me the following letter to Gov- 
ernor Brough: 

" Head-quarters 3d Div. 17th Army Corps, ) 
" Before Atlanta, Ga., August 17, 1864. j 

" To his Excellency John Brough, Governor of Ohio : 

"Governor — The bearer of this communicatiou — Corporal Rug- 
gles, Co. H., 20th 0. V. V. I. — has been in the secret service in 
the Army of the Tennessee for more than two years past, and has 
been eminently successful in that department. He has frequently 
had charge pf considerable numbers of men employed as scouts 
and has always managed them with great discretion and skill. 

" I would respectfully recommend that authority be obtained, if 
possible, for him to recruit in Ohio from among uon -veteran sol- 
diers, who have been discharged from service by reason of expira- 
tion of term of enlistment, an independent company, to be armed 
with Spencer rifles, and used as sharp-shooters, scouts, secret ser- 
vice men, etc. 

"It is believed that such a company can be raised of men skilled 
in such service, and that the service will be greatly benefitted 
thereby. 

" Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

" W. D. Leggett, 

" Brigadier- General^ 



The foregoing letter was indorsed as follows : 

" Head-quarters 15th Army Corps 
" Before Atlanta, August 17, 18G4. 

" Approved and recommended. John A. Logan, 

"■^ Major- General Commanding. 
"By R. R. TowNES, Lieutenant- Colonel and A. A. GT 



■} 



362 four years 

" Head-quarters 17th Army Corps, \ 
"Before Atlanta, Ga., August 17, 1864. j 

"Approved and strongly recommended. This man lias proved 
himself a trusty scout, and has been of great service. 
" [Signed for Major-General Blair.] 

" A. J. Alexander, A. A. G" 

" Head-quarters Army and Dep't op Tennessee, ") 

" August 17, 1864. J 
"Respectfully forwarded. 

*' I could make good use of a good company, skilled as within 
described. I have no personal knowledge of Corporal Buggies. 

"0. 0. Howard, Major-General.'^ 

The foregoing letters and indorsements, and Gen- 
eral Grant's indorsement — which is yet to follow — 
were fm'nished me for these pages, accompanied by 
the following letter by the War Department : 

" War Dep't, Adjutant-General's Office, ) 
" Washington, August 13, 1866. j 

^^ Mr. Lorain. Evggles, (Care of Major E. C. Downs, late of the 20th 
Ohio Vols., Henrie House^ Cincinnati, Ohio : 
" Sir — I have respectfully to acknowledge the receipt of your 
letter of the 2d inst., requesting to be furnished with copies of 
letters asking authority for you to raise a command of scouts, etc., 
with the indorsements thereon recommending the same, for publi- 
cation in a work detailing your experience as a scout. 

" In reply, I have to transmit herewith copies of the letters re- 
ferred to, with the indorsements thereon, as requested. 
" I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

" Thomas H. Vincent, 
^^ Assistant Adjutant- GeneraV* 

With the two letters of recommendation and their 
indorsements, I proceeded to Ohio, and presented 
them to Governor Brough, who read them over very 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 363 

carefully, then returned them to me, and ordered 
that I be furnished with the necessary recruiting 
papers and set to work immediately. 

Having received the necessary documents, I set 
to work at once, and in a very short time had pro- 
cured twenty-one men. With these, I went to Co- 
lumbus, and reported in person to the Adjutant-Gren- 
eral. He read over my order from the Governor, 
and then said, " Did you raise your men under that 
order as scouts?" 

*'Yes, sir." 

" Well, there a'n't such an organization known in 
the United States Army Regulations as a comj)any 
of scouts. I can't do any thing with such men." 

I can't help that," I replied; "I have acted under 
authority of the Governor of Ohio." 

"Well, let us go and see the Governor." 

We carried the order to the Governor, and the 
Adjutant-General explained to him that there was no 
such organization known in the Army Regulations. 

"Well, Mr. Ruggles," said the Governor, "you go 
on and raise the men, and assign them to a regiment, 
and then have them detailed out for scouting pur- 
poses." 

" That won't do at all, Governor," said I. "I have 
commanded detailed men long enough ; I want a 
command of my own." 

"Well, put your men into the 197th Ohio In- 
fantry, and I will extend your time to recruit and 
give you a commission as Captain." 

*' I do n't want such a commission, Governor. I 
do n't want to be in the infantry service." 



564 FOUR YEARS 

"Very well; I have got to fill that regiment up, 
because it is needed immediately at Nashville, and 
the men will have to go into it." 

" Then take them and put them there, and I '11 go 
to Washington," said I, and walked out. 

I still held the letters of recommendation, with 
their indorsements. With these I proceeded to Bal- 
timore, where I found Major-General Lewis Wallace, 
and obtained a pass from him to General Grant's 
head-quarters, at City Point, Ya. I showed General 
Grant my papers, and told him of my difficulty. He 
took my papers and addressed them to the War De- 
partment, with the following indorsement: 

" Head-quarters Armies of the United States, ") 
" City Point, Va., October 13, 1864. j 

" I know Private Ruggles well, and the services he rendered in 
Mississippi as a scout. With an independent company of such 
men as himself, he would be worth more in the Shenandoah Valley, 
and over the district of country over which Mosby roams, than a 
regiment of cavalry. 

" I would recommend that he be authorized to raise a battalion 
of men, and be put in the Department of West Virginia. 

"U. S. Grant, Lieutenant- General." 

Thus approved. General Grant sent me with them 
to the Secretary of War; but, as I was about to 
leave his quarters, he said, " Perhaps you had bet- 
ter show these papers to the President." Thus pre- 
pared, I bent my way toward Washington, with a 
somewhat lighter heart than I left the Governor's 
office, at Columbus, Ohio. 

Finding several army officers of my acquaintance 
at Washington, I showed them my papers, and told 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 365 

them that Greneral Grant advised me to show them 
to the President. My friends said that it was not 
necessary, so I proceeded at once to the War De- 
partment, and handed my papers, in person, to Sec- 
retary Stanton. I felt happy when I entered the 
office, and, though I had no conversation with the 
Secretary, wlien I came out I had lowered consider- 
able in my own Estimation. The way of doing busi- 
ness at the War Department seemed to me cold and 
repulsive., I have since been sorry that I did not 
carry my papers to the President. From the Secre- 
tary of War, I went to the Adjutant-General's office, 
and from there to the Provost-marshal General's of- 
fice. There I was told to call in a week, and my 
papers would be ready. 

Though I was somewhat crest-fallen when I left 
Secretary Stanton's office, I am quite sure I was not 
as much so as many Brigadier-Generals that I have 
seen making their egress since. It was so general a 
thing for an officer to enter that office spruced up 
and dignified, with hopes elated, and then to return 
chop-fallen and disappointed, that I could not help 
laughing at those I saw enter so expectant and re- 
turn so downcast. It is an excellent place to cool a 
man's military ardor. 

At the expiration of seven days, I again called at 
the office of the Provost-marshal General, and was 
handed an order of which the following is a copy : 

" War Dep't Provost-marshal General's Office, ") 
" Washington, D. C, October 21, 18G3. j 

" To his Excellency the Governor of Ohio : 

" Sir — Subject to your approval, it is hereby ordered that Cor- 



366 . FOUR TEARS 

poral Lorain Kuggles, Company H, 20th Oliio Veteran Volunteer 
Infantry, has authority to proceed to Ohio and raise a company 
of cavalry, for certain special services, whereas ordered by these 
head-quarters. 

" Should the Corporal's success warrant it, authority will be 
given him to raise three additional companies — not more than one 
company, however, to be under recruitment at one time. 

"As soon as a company is raised, he will report with it at once 
to these head-quarters. The men must be enrolled under the pres- 
ent existing regulations, for the period of one, two, or three years, 
as the men may choose to enlist. The company must be raised 
within twenty days from the time the Corporal commences to 
recruit. 

" By order of the Secretary of War. 

" James B. Fry, Provost-marshal General." 

With this I again reported to the Governor of 
Ohio. He opened the order and commenced to read 
aloud. When he came to the date, which was 1863, 
when it should have been 1864, he inquired : -'Where 
have you been for a year past?" 

" You know where I have been. Governor," I 
replied. "You know that that paper is dated 
wrong." 

" Well, do n't you know that when a military order 
is dated wrong it is all wrong." 

"Yes; but what shall I do about it?" 

" Go back to Washington and get it made right." 

" I do n't want to spend so much time running 
about. I would like to raise a company and get 
back to the front before the war closest He then 
finished reading the order. When he had done, I 
asked him what he thought of it. 

"Well," said he, "I would advise you not to do 
any thing with it as it is." 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 367 

" That 's ray mind, exactly. It o'li't wliat 1 wanted 
at all. It looks like making a recruiting officer of 
me to fill up some fancy regiment. All I wanted 
was authority to raise a company. I am subject to 
your orders. What shall I do — go to recruiting, or 
go back to the fro»t?" 

" I do n't know, Corporal, what you had better 
do." 

" Well, if you do n't know, I do n't ; so, I guess 
I'll leave." 

I waited a few days, and then called on him again 
for orders, and still he did not know what I had 
better do. I felt as if I had rendered service to the 
Government that was worthy of some notice from 
the Chief Executive of my State, and to be treated 
with such indifference was to me provoking. He 
might have done one thing or the other: got my 
papers made right and set me to raising a company, 
or have had me ordered back to the front ; but he 
did neither. 

At length, being disgusted with making any fur- 
ther effort to raise a company, I went back to the 
front without orders, and reported to the command- 
ing officer of my regiment. Finding that I had no 
order returning me to duty in the regiment, he 
refused to have me in his command. I then re- 
ported to Major-General Howard, who said that I 
w^as subject to order from the War Department, and 
that he had no authority over me. I remarked, "I 
guess, then, that I must be out of the service alto- 
gether. I '11 go and see what General Sherman can 
, do for me." I went to him and told him what I 



368 FOUR YEARS 

had done, and he said to me, " You may remain at 
my head-quarters until further orders." 

I must say that I felt sadly disappointed and dis- 
heartened at my fciilure in raising a command of 
my own. If I had humored the Grovernor in the 
jfirst attempt to raise a compan}^ I would, undoubt- 
edly have been a Captain, but I was determined to 
have such a command as I wanted or none. The 
reader must judge for himself whether I have 
merited it or not. 

In about five days after my arrival at the front, 
General Sherman started on his grand campaign 
through Georgia. IN'ot a doubt was entertained by 
the troops of their ability to march triumphant 
across to the Atlantic coast. Very few there were but 
who anticipated correctly the point of destination 
at the outset of the march, and at the prospect be- 
fore them were highly elated. JSTever were men in 
better spirits than when the march commenced. 

It was the most decisive and glorious campaign 
of the war, and yet fraught with the least of personal 
adventure of any campaign that I have taken part 
in. My duty was one in common with the other 
scouts, and the soldiers of the entire army loere all 
scouts. My individual experience was not different 
from that of the great mass of soldiers. 

Our duty was to subsist ourselves and devastate 
the country as completely as possible, taking good 
care not to get captured. This we accomplished 
successfully. The army never lived better and the 
men never enjoyed better health ; and when we 
reached the Atlantic coast we were in better condi- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 369 

tion physically than when we started from Atlanta. 
The march occupied a period of seventy-seven days, 
every day of which we were on the move. 

During our progress, though we were cut off from 
all communication with home, we were not altogether 
ignorant of General Thomas' glorious victory, and 
route of the Confederate army under Hood. We 
learned, by way of the Southern people, of " Hood's 
disaster," and could plainly comprehend the strategy 
that had drawn him unwittingly to the defenses at 
jSTashville, and it added not a little to our courage. 
We plainly saw that the enemy w^as utterly power- 
less to resist our advance. 

On our arrival at the coast, near Savannah, we 
were visited by Mr. Stanton, Secretary of War. 
General Leggett gave me an introduction to him, as 
"a very efficient and worthy scout and spy," to 
which he replied, " Yes, I know him." 

"Does the President know you, Mr. Ruggles?" 
inquired General Leggett, surprised that the Secre- 
tary knew me. 

" Yes, I expect so ; I know him." 

The Secretary asked me if I was acquainted about 
Mobile anci Xew Orleans. I told him that I was 
not much acquainted about Mobile, but had been 
there twice, and that I was pretty well acquainted 
about IN^ew Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain. He 
asked me if I was willing to make a trip across the 
country and report to General Granger, and I 
answered, " Yes, any where." 

The next morning I received an order from the 
War Department to proceed across the country on 
24 



370 FOUR YEARS 

horseback, and report for special service to General 
Granger, at Mobile, Alabama. I was not limited in 
time to make the trip. 

It was some time in the month of January, 1865, 
that I set out on my journey. I traveled very 
leisurely, and visited every place of any importance 
that lay near my route. I had been instructed by 
the Secretary of War to gather as much information 
as I could while passing through the country. To 
accomplish this, I made frequent stops to converse 
with the people, and I frequently rode many miles, 
to one side or the other of my route, to find people 
that were influential and leading members of society, 
so that I might learn the sentiments of those who 
wielded a controlling influence. I traveled in the 
disguise of a citizen carrying my order from the 
War Department with me. It was not often that I 
ventured to carry such papers with me. 

I found that most of the people were willing to 
give up to the Federal authorities — not because they 
had been wrong, but because by the force of war 
they had become overpowered and exhausted. While 
there was a desire for peace, there was also a hatred 
of the Federal Government. A few Aver,e satisfied 
with the old Government as it Avas, and had reluc- 
tantly been drawn into rebellion by the force of the 
elements around them. Such people hailed the 
overthrow of the Confederate Government with joy. 

" Hood's disaster " and " Sherman's raid " had 
revealed to the Southern people their weakness in a 
more alarming view than they had ever before seen 
it. It seemed, in their case, that the last straw had 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 371 

been laid upon the camel's back, and the overloaded 
beast was unable to rise. 

The most of the way I enjoyed my journey finely. 
Sometimes I would lay over several days, on account 
of rain and bad roads. Wherever I stopped I 
found something to interest me. I made it a point 
to make myself as interesting and agreccxble to the 
people that entertained me as possible. 

I spent three weeks in Florida. There I found the 
people more disheartened than anywhere else in my 
route; in fact, resistance to the Federal army had 
been given up. During my stay there I spent sev- 
eral days with a planter by the name of Fanshaw, 
who lives near the coast, at St. Marks. He was 
formerly from the State of New York. I passed 
myself while there by my real name, and as a 
brother of General Ruggles, and represented that I 
was on my way home to Bolivar County, Mississij^pi, 
from Savannah, Georgia, where I had been on busi- 
ness pertaining to the Confederate Government. I 
gave him such an account of the general state of 
affairs all over the Confederate States that he did 
not doubt, in the least, the statements that I made. 
When I called at his house I had no intentions of 
remaining there long, but his hospitality was so 
strongly urged upon me that I accepted it to enable 
my horse to rest. 

While staying there I was much amused by read- 
ing a story in the Natchez (Miss.) Courier concern- 
ing myself. How the paper had made its way there 
I can not tell. Miss Ella, a daughter of Mr. F.'s, 
handed me the piece to read, remarking that it was 



372 FOUR TEARS 

one of the curious incidents of the war. Little did 
she think that in presenting it to me she was mak- 
ing it doubly so. 

The story was written by Mr. James Dugan, a 
friend of mine in the 14th Illinois Infantry. Ser- 
geant Downs, of the 20th Ohio, had related to Mr. 
Dugan several of the incidents in my experience as 
scout; and from one of those he wrote a romance, 
in which I figured as the hero, giving instead of my 
full name only the initial letter to my surname, to- 
gether with the name of my company and regiment. 
It was given to the public as a narrative of facts, 
and the announcement made that an extended his- 
tory of my services would be forthcoming from the 
able pen of Captain Downs. It was first published 
in 1863, in the paper I have before mentioned. 

Coming to me as it did, under such peculiar cir- 
cumstances, it amused me exceedingly. I took good 
care, however, that my lady friend did not find 
out that I was the hero of the story. My feelings 
at the time can be better imagined by perusing it. 
It ran as follows : 

" On board the magnificent steamer ' Imperial,' 
on her passage from St. Louis to New Orleans, in the 
month of October, A. D. 1860, reclining upon one 
of those elegantly-furnished sofas in her sumptuous 
cabin, might have been seen the hero of our story 
wrapped in a ' brown study.' 

"His form was attractive and commanding; some- 
thing over a medium size, and well proportioned. 
His features were pleasant, and his hair brown and 
wavy, extending in a rich profusion of glossy curls 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 373 

down over his shoulders. His eyes were of a deep 
blue, and as sharp and piercing as those of an eagle. 
His forehead was broad and high, imparting a look 
of more than usual intelligence; indeed, he was 
what might be called a handsome fellow, and though 
he^ has passed the age of five and twenty, he looked 
as fair and fresh as though but just of age. Lorain 

R s (the subject of our sketch) was a resident 

of Ohio, but was then on his way to New Orleans 
on business. 

"It is said that Lorain once loved a beautiful and 
accomplished young lady of an amiable disposition, 
and, withal, of no inconsiderable wealth; but upon 
the very day upon which they were to have been 
married he followed her remains to their long home. 
Three years had passed since then, and he had found 
no fair one to fill the heart thus made vacant. 

" As he sits reclined upon that sofa, he is medi- 
tating upon the strange vicissitudes of life. Recol- 
lections of scenes in his own experience pass vividly 
before him, and, as if but yesterday, he strolls for 
the last time in the green meadow. Just as the de- 
clining sun is shedding his last lingering rays across 
the landscape, accompanied by his own angelic Be- 
linda, and as they are about to pass the gate to her 
father's house, they pause for a moment, and with 
her soft fingers playfully twirling his glossy curls, 
she presses her lips to his and whispers, ' My own 
dear Lorain ! ' 

" Since then three summers have passed without 
obliterating the blank in his heart caused by the 
transfer of his fair one to the spirit land, and he 



374 FOUR YEARS 

wonders whether, indeed, there was but one heart 
born whose emotions of love can soften his. Again 
and again he recalls the scenes of his love until his 
eyes are suffused with tears. Dashing them away, 
he starts from his seat and mingles with the gay 
crowd that are passengers with him. 

"Among those passengers was a young man by 
the name of Charles Rollins, who had just finished 
a course of education at one of our northern colleges, 
and was then on his way home. He was a young 
man of an ardent temperament, of fine appearance 
and accomplished manners. His parents resided at 
^N^atchez, Mississippi. 

"Lorain sought relief from the recollections that 
had passed him by seeking to make the acquaint- 
ance of those around him. The fine manly bearing 
of Charles attracted his attention, and he at once 
sought an interview, which proved to be agreeable. 
Frequent interviews were had, and their acquaint- 
ance soon ripened into friendship. 

" Charles had a sister — an only one — by the name 
of Annie. She was then entering upon her twenty- 
fourth year; and though not in the strict sense of 
the word handsome, she was, nevertheless, good 
looking, and possessed of what is of more conse- 
quence than beauty — all the graces that adorn the 
life of a devoted, exemplary Christian. She had 
early embraced the Christian religion, and her pure 
devotion, genial nature, and agreeable manners won 
for her the love and respect of all who knew her. 

" Annie had received the attentions of several 
young men of unexceptionable character and repu- 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 375 

tation, possessed, withal, of that worldly competence 
and business tact that would have placed her, be- 
yond doubt, above want for means to administer to 
her worldly comforts ; and yet, strange to say, she 
saw reason to decline their oifers. Why she had 
failed to love was known, if at all, only to herself. 
Her parents would have been pleased to have seen 
their daughter united in holy wedlock to a worthy 
young man that she loved; nevertheless, they had 
too much respect for her judgment to question the 
propriety of her decisions and the reasons for them, 
and the only reason, perhaps, that they could assign 
was that old and common one, ' matches are made in 
heaven.' 

"The entire passage from St. Louis passed off 
agreeably to our new-made friends, and, sooner than 
they could have wished it, the signal Avas sounded 
to land at the beautiful town of jN^atchez. There 
Lorain was unable to refuse the pressing invitation 
from Charles to stop and spend a few days, or at 
least a night, with him at his father's house. 

"It is not necessary to describe the introduction 
that followed, nor the welcome that was extended. 
Suffice it to say, the journey was not renewed the 
next day, nor the next. A week rolled around, and 
then another, and another, until three months had 
passed, and still Lorain was a welcome guest at the 
home of the Rollinses. At the end of that time 
Lorain and Annie were engaged to be married. 

"At last business became so urgent that Lorain 
was obliged to resume his journey to New Orleans^ 
The hour came for departure, and he sought a last 



376 FOUR YEAKS 

interview with Annie, to give her the parting fare- 
well. 

" During the winter of 1860 and '61, the country, 
North and South, had become agitated with political 
excitement, which ran so high that the two sections 
seemed in imminent danger of becoming involved in 
a civil war. The South claimed that the North had 
encroached upon her rights, and even went so far a^ 
to threaten to withdraw from the Federal compact 
and take up the sword in vindication of her rights. 

"As Lorain was about to leave, Annie still clung 
to his hand, and said : ' My dear Lorain, before you 
leave me, I want you to make me one j^romise.' 

'"Well, Annie, what is it? ' 

'"You know, Lorain, that our nation is being 
shaken to its center by political excitement, and it 
is more than probable that before I shall see you 
again the Southern States will secede from the 
Union, and the country become involved in war. 
Promise me that in case the South becomes en- 
gaged in war with the North, you will not take up 
arms against her.' 

" ' My dear Annie, as much as I love you, I can 
not make you that promise. The North is my birth- 
place and home. I love and respect the flag under 
which I was cradled, and if the country needs my 
services to preserve her glorious nationality, I am 
under sacred obligations to render assistance.' 

" She pressed his hand warmly and drew him 

closer; her eyes filled with tears and her bosom 

^eaved with emotion as she said, 'Make me, then, 

at least this promise — if the country does become 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 377 

involved in war, with you upon one side and Charles 
. upon the other, and you should chance to meet him 
as your enemy, you will, dearest Lorain, s])are my 
brother.'' 

*"Yes,' he uttered, as he imprinted a farewell 
kiss upon her nectar lips. 

" Time rolled on, and, as had been anticipated, 
one after another of the Southern States seceded 
and took up arms against the North, and involved 
the country in a civil war. Charles Rollins, as his 
sister had feared, identified himself with the interest 
of his own State, and enlisted in a Mississippi regi- 
ment of infantry. Lorain R s, true to his coun- 
try and his country's flag, rallied at the first call of 
the President to save his country from destruction. 

" His devoted patriotism and noble bearing, and 
his obstinate bravery in the hour of battle, won for 
him the confidence of his commanding officers, who 
often sent him on missions of danger. General 
Grant, having learned of his reliability, address, and 
daring, frequently sent him to obtain information of 
the enemy's movements. 

"In November, 1861, preparatory to moving the 
grand army south into Mississippi, and while the 
troops were being concentrated in the vicinity of 

Lagrange, Tenn., General Grant sent Mr. R s 

out, on horseback, to find the enemy's advanced 
pickets. It was in the night, and extremely dark, 
which rendered the undertaking a hazardous one. 
He felt his way along with utmost caution, and had 
made a distance of twenty miles, when, in the mid- 
night darkness, not six feet in advance of him, he 



378 - FOUR YEARS 

was confronted by a single sentry, standing in the 
middle of the road, who challenged him with ' Halt ! 
who comes there?' 

"It was a desperate situation, and Mr. R s 

determined to make the best of it. ' Friend, with 
the countersign,' he answered, drawing his revolver. 

" 'Advance and give the countersign,' was the reply. 

Mr. R s did advance, and, thrusting his re- 
volver to the breast of the sentry, fired. The flash 
of his piece revealed to him the face of Charles 
Rollins ! ^Oh heavens ! ' he cried, and sprang from 
his lidrse and embraced the fallen form. 'Charles! 
Charles ! speak ! if but once ; for God's sake, speak ! ' 

" It was too late ; the ball had penetrated his 
heart, and Charles was dead. The sharp report 
aroused his sleeping companions, who were lying by 
the roadside, a little distance from him, and the 
noise they made as they sprang for their guns warned 

Mr. R s of his danger, who quickly sprang to 

his saddle and dashed away unharmed, but not with- 
out being fired at by the remaining pickets. He 
made a safe return, and reported to General Grant, 
but since that time his acquaintances have noticed 
that he has become a changed man." 

I arrived at General Granger's head-quarters in 
Mobile, Alabama, April 9, 1865, the next day after 
the capture of Blakely. I had traveled in all, since 
leaving Savannah, a distance of nine hundred miles, 
and that without molestation. 

During my journey, two of the most important 
events of the war had transpired. General Lee had 
surrendered his command to General Grant, and 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 379 

General Johnston had surrendered his command to 
General Sherman. Kirby Smith's command, west 
of the Mississippi, was the only armed force that had 
not smTendered*. 

The returned Confederate soldiers, wherever I 
met them in my route, had expressed themselves as 
satisfied with their attempt to sustain the Confed- 
eracy, and gave it up as a lost cause. Experience 
is said to be the "best school-master." The Confed- 
erate soldiers evidently thought so. 

A few days after my arrival, the intelligence was 
received that President Lincoln had been murdered. 
It was too sad intelligence for the soldiers to believe, 
nor would they believe it until officially confirmed. 
Then their anger knew no bounds, and it was with 
the utmost difficulty that commanding officers re- 
strained their men from committing retaliatory 
depredations. 

In the midst of a nation's rejoicing, she was called 
to mourn the death of the man who had steered the 
Shijo of State clear of the shoals that threatened her 
destruction, was to be swept from the helm as the 
ship was entering the haven of peace, and within 
sight of her desired moorings. While it was hard 
to deprive him thus of the sweet anticipations in 
prospect before him, it was nevertheless necessary, 
in the wise directions of a beneficent Providence. 
The murder of Abraham Lincoln was necessary as 
the closing act of the great rebellion. The picture 
of the scene, revolting as it had been, was not com- 
plete until the finishing shades of blackness had been 
added by the hand of an assassin. 



380 FOUR TEARS 

Tlie war was now virtually closed, and during our 
stay at Mobile General Granger had nothing for me 
to do. In July he moved to 'New Orleans, taking 
most of his troops with him. It was generally sup- 
posed that we were going there to take transports 
home, to our respective States, to be mustered out; 
but in this we were disappointed. At that place 
General Granger ordered me to report to the Pro- 
vost-marshal for duty as a detective. Why I was 
so often selected for such duty is more than I can 
tell. If I had all other necessary qualifications for 
that business, my dislike for it was so great as to 
overcome them. I went to the Provost-marshal with 
my order, and told him that I was at his disposal for 
duty, but that I had objections to engaging in that 
kind of service — not that I was unwilling to obey 
my superior officers, but simply because I had a dis- 
like for the business that it was impossible for me to 
overcome. I told him that I had twice tried to operate 
as a detective and had failed, and the more I tried 
it the less I liked it. It was a kind of duty that 
was not congenial to my nature, and it seemed to 
me like low business. I was satisfied that there 
were those who were better adapted to such busi- 
ness than I, but if he insisted upon it I would go to 
work and do the best that I knew how. 

He told me that he had but very little detective 
business to do, and that he did not wish to have me 
engaged in business that was not agreeable to my 
feelings. He told me to return to General Granger's 
head-quarters, and that if he found occasion to need 
my services he would send for me. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 381 

I have since had reason to susi")ect that setting me 
to work as a detective wa.s simply a show of some- 
thing for me to do, on the part of commanding offi- 
cers, that I might be retained in the service longer, 
lest, in the future, something might turn up that 
would give them occasion to need me. At that time 
there was great clamoring among the soldiers to be 
mustered out, and orders had been issued to muster 
out all detached men who were not actively en- 
gaged. 

We remained in N'ew Orleans until the latter part 
of July, when we embarked on board the transports 
and went to Galveston, Texas. At that place there 
was as little for me to do as there had been in New 
Orleans. Having no use for me, General Granger 
sent me to Columbus, Texas, a distance of one hun- 
dred and sixty miles inland, to report to General 
Grierson. 

I made the journey alone and on horseback, 
dressed as a citizen. For the last year and a half 
of my service, I very rarely wore any thing but a 
citizen's dress. I occupied five days in making the 
journey, and got through to General Grierson's head- 
quarters without having experienced a single inci- 
dent of interest. That kind of scouting was dry 
business to me. It is excitement that makes the 
life of a scout interesting. 

I made several trips of from twenty to sixty miles 
inland for General Grierson, but none of them w^as 
attended with any incident. The fact was, the war 
was over, and there was nothing for a scout to do. 
General Kirby Smith had before this surrendered his 



382 FOUR YEARS 

command, and there was no regularly organized 
Confederate force to contend with. The only dis- 
turbance was from lawless, evil-disposed persons, 
who roamed over the country, robbing both loyal 
and disloyal alike, their sole object being plunder. 

In September General Grierson sent me alone to 
the Upper Colorado, a distance of four hundred miles, 
with instructions to see whether the rebs were con- 
centrating a force or fortifying at any point along 
the river. I made the trip on horseback, in my 
usual citizen's dress. Very much of the distance was 
sparsely settled, which rendered my journey at least 
a lonesome one. A naturalist, no doubt, would have 
found in that route enough to have made a volume 
interesting, but to me nothing was of so much interest 
as the end of my journey. During the entire route it 
was the same dull monotony day after day. 

On my return, and when within four days' ride of 
Columbus, I fell in with a party of outlaws number- 
ing forty men. They wore uniforms exactly like 
General Grierson's cavalry, and had United States 
saddles and carbines. At first I supposed that they 
were a detachment of his command, but fortunately 
I discovered my mistake before having told who I 
was. They plundered indiscriminately, but left the 
impression, wherever they went, that they were a de- 
tachment of United States troops, acting under Gen- 
eral Grierson's orders. I traveled with them three 
days. 

As soon as I found out what they were I proposed 
to join their organization. This I did for my own 
safety. I represented myself as having been a 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 383. 

planter in Mississippi, and that I had lost all my 
property by the war — a part of it by the Confederate 
army and a part of it by the Lincoln army; and I 
also told them that I was determined to get my 
property back in some way, and did not care a d — m 
how nor who I got it from. My proposition was ac- 
cepted, and it was arranged that I should go on to 
Columbus and transact some business that I had 
there, and, if possible, secure by some means, fair 
or foul, a uniform, saddle, and carbine, and then re- 
turn to a certain plantation that they would show 
me in our route. 

The last day that I was with them, we passed the 
plantation to which I was to return when I had 
comj^leted my business at Columbus. Toward night 
they plundered a rich planter who had never been 
at heart really disloyal. He had acted with the 
Confederate Government simply because compelled 
to, but at his earliest opportunity had taken the re- 
quired oath. As the outlaws were taking his prop- 
erty, he remonstrated, and told them that he was a 
Union man, and that G-eneral Grierson had promised 
to protect him. They told him that he was no 
Union man, but a d — d lying secesh. They insulted 
him shamefully, and then, having secured what 
plunder they wanted, made their way oif, leaving 
him to suppose that the outrage had been committed 
by Federal cavalry. 

During my ride with them I became quite familiar 
with their countenances, and also learned where sev- 
eral of them resided. I also found out that they 
did not, except when on a plundering expedition, 



,384 FOUR YEARS 

remain in a body, but separated to tlieir homes, 
meeting occasionally, however, to arrange for new 
expeditions, but never twice in the same place, lest 
their haunts might be discovered. Shortly after 
plundering the planter that I have mentioned, they 
turned off on another road and left me to pursue my 
journey alone. 

After repeating to Gleneral Grierson the result of 
my trip, I mentioned the incident about the outlaws, 
and their having plundered the planter, but did not 
tell him that I had agreed to return to them. The 
day following my report, the planter came in with 
complaint to Greneral Grrierson that his cavalry had 
plundered him of his horses and mules, and other 
property, and also had shamefully insulted him. 

General Grierson was surprised to hear such 
complaints, and told the man that he must be mis- 
taken; but he insisted that he knew they were his 
men ; they had United States uniforms, saddles, and 
carbines exactly like his men. The General then 
called the Adjutant, to know whether he had sent 
a detachment out, but none had been sent. The 
planter still insisted that it was United States cav- 
alry that committed the outrage. Recalling to 
mind what I had reported to him the day before, 
the General mistrusted who had done it and sent 
for me. I at once recognized the planter as the one 
whom I had seen plundered by the outlaws. 

The next day I accompanied a detachment of 
cavalry, in disguise, to hunt up the outlaws. We 
proceeded at once to the residences of those that I 
had learned, and were so fortunate as to find them 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 385 

at home, all of whom we captured. I took good care 
to be seen by them as little as possible. I do not 
think I was recognized by any of the number that 
we captured. Every one of them were loud in their 
declarations of good behavior, and expressed aston- 
ishment that they should be so treated. The arrest 
of a part of the band put a damper upon the rest, 
and they cleared out, or ceased their operations. I 
heard of no more complaints during the time I re- 
mained there. 

From what experience I have had in the secret 
service, I am of the opinion that the Government 
has been entirely too lenient with that class of men. 
Nothing but the severest penalty of the law will ever 
stop them from their depredations. They will con- 
tinue to give trouble in the South so long as they are 
allowed to run at large. They are possessed of none 
of the tiner feelings of humanity that can be reached 
by moral persuasion, and nothing but physical re- 
straint can control them. 

Sympathy for those that have erred is a fine and 
commendable element in the human heart, but when 
carried to extremes is productive of disastrous re- 
sults. I think the entire secession element of the 
South has received, and is now receiving, more favor 
at the hands of the Government than is consistent 
for the safety of our republican institutions. People 
who have committed crime should be made to feel 
that they have done so by inflicting upon them the 
proper penalty. Let rebels prove themselves " prodi- 
gal sons " before being embraced in the arms of our 
good Uncle Samuel. n 

25 



386 FOUR YEARS 

On tlie 2d day of December, 1865, I received an 
order from General Grant to proceed to Columbus, 
Ohio, for discharge. On my arrival there, I reported 
to the Provost-marshal, who refused to discharge me, 
because I had no copy of the orders under which I 
had reported from one commanding officer to an- 
other. My business had been such that it was not 
safe for me to carry them, and, for the same reason, 
my orders were generally given orally. I went to 
General Leggett and told him my difficulty, who at 
once wrote me a statement to Captain Barber, Pro- 
vost-marshal, setting forth his knowledge of my serv- 
ices, and why I had not preserved my orders of 
detail. General Wiles also gave me a similar state- 
ment, of which the following are copies : 

" Zanesville, 0., February 15, 1866. 
'■'■Captain Barber^ Provost-marshal: 

" Dear Sir — Corporal Lorain Ruggles, Co. H, 20t]i 0. V. V. I., 
reports to me that he has difficulty in obtaining a discharge from 
the service. Corporal Ruggles was used, during the whole war, as 
a scout and spy. I first assigned him to that service early in the 
summer of 1862. His great success made him a favorite with all 
general officers having charge of secret service. He was, at differ- 
ent times, under the immediate direction of Generals Force, Ross, 
Logan, McPherson, Blair, Grant, and others, generally remaining, 
when not on active duty, at my head-quarters. The nature of his 
services were such that he could not carry details, passes, or orders, 
and, details could not be waited for by officers when he was needed, 
and, in fact, were very seldom made in such cases. 

" Corporal Ruggles was regarded as one of the most successful 
and reliable spies in the United States service, and was always 
called upon for desperate service where others would fail, and was 
equal to the undertaking. 

" I. hope you will secure him such a discharge as will enable 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 387 

Lim to draw his pay. He has been a most worthy soldier. I 

doubt whether any man of his rank has done more for his country. 

** Very respectfully, " M. D. Leggett, 

"Xate Major- General of Volunteers." 

" Zanesville, 0., February 17, 1866. 
^^ Captain Barber, Provost-marshal, Columbtcs, Ohio: 

" Dear Sir — I certify that I have long known Corporal Lorain 
Ruggles, of the 20th 0. V. V. I. (Said regiment was one of the 
regiments comprising the brigade of which I had the honor to 
command.) I further certify that I have known Corporal Ruggles 
as a scout and spy since about the month of June or July, 18G2. 
He was in the secret service, under orders from Generals Grant, 
Sherman, McPherson, Leggett, Force, Ross, and others. He was 
regarded as one of the best and most reliable scouts connected 
with our army, and, in my judgment, has performed as much val- 
uable service as any man in it, and I have no doubt but he is en- 
titled to an honorable discharge, although he may be unable to 
account for his absence from his regiment and company by exhibit- 
ing the necessary documents. The most of his details were oral, 
being ordered by one officer to report to another officer for special 
duty. I have used him myself for scouting, by permission of the 
commanding General. It is with pleasure that I add this my 
testimony in favor of a gallant and trustworthy soldier. 
" I am, Captain, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

"G. F. Wiles, 
''Late Colonel 78th 0. V. V. I., Brevet Brig.-Gen." 

Generals Leggett and Wiles have my thanks for 
the kind interest thus, and upon all other occasions, 
manifested in my behalf. With those letters, I 
was enabled to get a discharge from the service 
that I am proud of, and which I value more than 
all the gold that I might have made in dishonest 
traffic with outlaws. I have never been sorry that 
I followed General Grant's advice. 



388 FOUR YEARS 

After having received my discharge, I experienced 
trouble in getting my pay. I could scarcely get the 
Paymaster to look at me, let alone paying me. Find- 
ing that I could prevail nothing upon the Paymaster 
at Columbus, I reported at once, in person, to Lieu- 
tenant-Greneral Grant, at Washington, D. C, and 
told him my troubles. He caused my papers to be 
fixed so that I not only received all my pay proper, 
clothing account, etc., but my special service pay. 
Here I would express to General Grant my grati- 
tude for the pains he has taken to instruct me in 
the class of duties that I have had to perform, and 
for his personal interest in my welfare. I am in- 
debted to all the Generals for whom I have served 
for their kindness, and the instructions they have 
given me, and especially so to Generals Grant, Lo- 
gan, McPherson, Leggett, Force, Ross, Potts, and 
Wiles. I always found a welcome at their head- 
quarters. 

As I was about to leave General Grant's apart- 
ment, the door opened from the Adjutant-General's 
office, and in stepped the South Carolina General 
who had taken my field-glasses from me at the Con- 
federate House, in Jackson, Mississippi. I knew him 
in a moment. " General," said I, addressing Grant, 
"that's the son of a b — h that took my field-glasses 
from me at Jackson, Miss. 

" Tut, tut, tut ! " said General Grant. " Remember 
that the war is over now; you should not talk so." 
(Addressing the South Carolina General,) " Do you 
know that man?" 

" 'No, sir, I have no recollection of him." 



A SCOUT AND SPY. ' 389 

" Do n't you remember," said I, addressing him, 
" of taking a pair of field-glasses from a citizen at 
the Confederate House, in Jackson, Miss., at the time 
President Davis was there, and saying that ' citizens 
have no use for such things and Generals have?' " 

" Yes, I remember the circumstances. Are you 
the gentleman ? " 

" 'No, Gr — d d — m you ! you are the gentleman.''^ 

" Hut, tut, tut ! do n't talk that way now, Mr. 
Ruggles," said General Grant, with a suppressed 
smile on his countenance. 

"I reckon I can pay you for your glasses," said 
the South Carolinian, running his hand in his pocket. 

"jNTo you can't," said I; "the whole stinking Con- 
federacy would not pay for them." 

If the glasses had been worth thousands of dollars, 
I would not have taken a cent for them in the pres- 
ence of General Grant. A recollection of the inci- 
dent, as occurring in the character that I was in, is 
all the compensation that I want. Had that char- 
acter been known at that time and place, my life 
would have been of less value than the glasses. 



390 - FOUR YEARS 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

Ludicrous effect of fear — A Corporal outflanks a Captain — A good 
Union man — A touching appeal — A scene among the wounded — 
An old Secesh discovers his mistake — Suggestions from experi- 
ence — Concluding thoughts. 

In looking back over my experience, I can recall 
to mind many little incidents not included in the 
preceding narratives. It is sometimes amusing to 
witness the effect of fear upon persons of different 
habits and constitutions. I often think of my own 
ludicrous sensations in my first engagement — that of 
Fort Donelson. 

Being naturally a hearty eater, and not overly 
brave, I have a peculiar regard for all that concerns 
my appetite, and I fancied that if I was to be hit at 
all it would be in my "bread-basket." 

When our Colonel had formed us in line of battle 
and brought us to an " order arms," he said : " My 
brave soldiers, I am pleased with the coolness and 
courage that I see depicted upon every face. [I was 
glad he did n't see mine, for my knees were smiting 
each other, and I was pressing my 'bread-basket' 
with both hands.] We are not going to have a skir- 
mish, nor an engagement, nor a fight., but a battle ! 
[I was done for then, sure, and my hands pressed 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 391 

the " bread-basket " harder than before.] Draw ^^our * 
cartridge-boxes well to the front, [I tell you, the 
command suited me, and I got mine round in a 
hurry!] and act yourselves like men!" I can't say 
that I acted like a man, but I would have given 
considerable to have got my "bread-basket" away 
from there ! I am happy to add that when the 
battle was over the " bread-basket " was all right, 
and has given me but very little trouble since. 

I once came near getting into difficulty by not 
properly doing my duty while on picket. It was at 
Shiloh Church, a few weeks after the battle, and 
while the main part of the army was engaged in 
besieging Corinth. The entire regiment was more 
or less troubled with that terrible scourge of the 
army, camj) diarrhea, and the men were constantly 
contriving some way to get through the picket line 
in search of chickens and fresh vegetables. 

One morning, soon after I had taken my post on 
picket dut}^, for the first time in my life — I was a 
corporal of the guard — a squad of men from my own 
company came down to my post, without passes, and 
said that they wanted to go out and get some vege- 
tables, and, if I would pass them, they would divide 
with me when they came in, to which I assented. 

Toward night they came back to my post, and left, 
as my share of the proceeds of the trip, two very fiit 
chickens, and a nice lot of onions, lettuce, and rad- 
ishes. It so happened that just after the men left 

the post for camp, Captain R s, of my regiment, 

who w^as in command of the guard, made his appear- 
ance to insj^ect the condition of his men, and, dis- 



• 



392 FOUK YEARS 

covering the party who had just left, mistrusted that 
I had passed them in, and, of course, took me to task 
about it. 

"Did those men come through the lines here?" 
inquired the Captain. 

" Yes, sir," I answered. 

" Did they have passes ? " 

" I do n't know whether they did or not. I did 
not ask them." 

" Did they go out here this morning?" 

" Yes, sir." 

" Did you allow them to go out without passes ? " 

" I d!d n't ask them for passes. I did n't know 
they needed them. They said that they were going 
after vegetables, and I know that they needed them 
bad enough, so I supposed it was all right." 

"What were you placed here for?" 

" To watch the enemy, I suppose. I did not know 
that I had to watch my friends." 

"Well, sir, if you don't know your duty better 
than that, you are not fit to be a Corporal. I '11 re- 
port you to the Colonel, sir, and have you reduced." 

The Captain then went on and left me to my own 
reflections. I cared very little about being an eighth 
Corporal, and yet I disliked the idea of becoming- 
disgraced by being reduced. I dressed my chickens 
nicely, and laid them away where they would be safe 
until morning. As soon as the relief came out, I 
started across the woods to camp. Taking my nicest 
chicken and some of my nicest vegetables in my 
hands, I repaired to the Colonel's tent. I knew that 
he had been unwell, and unable to procure what 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 393 

vegetables lie needed. On entering, I saluted liim 
as politely as I knew how, and then said :*" Colonel, 
I knew that you was not very well, and I thought 
you would relish some chicken and fresh vegetables. 
Will you accept them ?" 

" Thank you, thank you. Corporal," said he, taking 
them, and looking very much pleased. " They are 
just what I wanted exactly. Were jvu on picket 
yesterday." 

" Yes, sir, and I expect that I have incurred your 
displeasure." 

"Why so?" 

" Well, Colonel, I '11 tell you. It's the first time 
that I was ever on picket, and I did not know what 
the duty of a Corporal was. There were some men 
from the regiment came down and wanted to go out, 
and I let them go without passes, and the Captain 
says that he is going to report me for it. I am very 
sorry, Colonel, that I did it, and if you will forgive 
me this time I won't do so again." 

" Picket duty, Corporal, is one of the most respon- 
sible duties of the soldier. It should always be faith- 
fully discharged. Since this is the first oftense, I '11 
overlook it, if you will do better in the future." 

" Thank you, Colonel ; I will certainly do better 
the next time." 

Just as I came out the Captain entered ; so I re- 
mained where I could hear the conversation that fol- 
lowed. After the usual salutation, he said : "I am 
sorry, Colonel, that I am under the necessity of re- 
reporting to you one of the Corporals under my 
command yesterday for a non-performance of duty." 



394 FOUR YEARS 

" Was it Corporal Ruggies," inquired the Colonel. 

" Yes, »ir ; he — " 

" Never mind, Captain ; he reported himself this 
morning and promised to do better, and I forgave 
him this offense." 

When the Captain came out, I noticed that he 
felt considerably worked up at being outflanked by 
a Corporal. ^^ 

While encamped at Shiloh, I became acquainted 
with an old man, whose age was nearly three-score 
and ten, then a refugee from home on account of his 
loyalty to the Government. He had spent several 
weeks secreted in a swamp, to keep out of the hands 
of his neighbors, and on the arrival of the Union 
army had come into our lines for protection. 

The old man was plain and outspoken in his 
views, and when the subject of secession was being 
agitated in that part of Tennessee where he lived, he 
boldly declared his determination to adhere to the 
Union. The neighbors, unwilling to give the old 
man up, appointed a secession meeting on a certain 
evening, and procured one of their ablest speakers 
to discuss the question at issue, and invited him over. 
The time appointed came, and with it the speaker. 
The house was crowded with anxious listeners, but 
the old man was not among them. Before proceed- 
ing with the exercises, a delegation was appointed to 
wait upon the old man and get him out to the meet- 
ing. He at first refused to attend, but at last yielded 
to their imj)ortunities and went over. A chair was 
brought in and a seat given him close by the speak- 
er's stand, and the speaker commenced. The old 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 395 

man listened very attentively to the entire harangue, 
and his friends felt sure that the argifments were 
having the desired effect. 

When the speaker had finished and sat down, one 
of the delegates arose and asked the old man if he 
had learned any thing new. 

"Yes, I think I have," he replied. 

"Well, what is it?" 

" I have learned that you are a d — d sight bigger 
fools than I had thought you were. Your arguments 
amount to nothing. As for me, I was horn a Union 
man, I have lived a Union man, and I mean to die 
a Union man !" 

It was then hinted that he might get hung if he 
continued to give utterance to such language. He 
replied : 

*' Gentlemen, you may hang and be d — d ! I want 
you to understand that I am a Union man. Every 
thing ahout me is Union. You may hang me on a 
gallows higher than Haman, and then cut me down 
and make mince-meat of my body and feed it to the 
dogs, and the dogs will he good Union dogs!^^ 

Having thus pointedly expressed himself, he left 
the house and returned home, leaving his neighbors 
in an angry mood over his obstinacy. Half an hour 
later a son-in-law informed him that the meeting had 
determined that he should either renounce his senti- 
ments or be hung. A rapid flight to the swamp 
saved his life. 

Thus you see that treason has neither respect for 
the silver hairs of old age nor the strongest ties of 
blood. 



396 FOUR YEARS 

It is oftentimes affecting to witness the heroic 
manner in which soldiers endure their sufferings, 
whether from sickness or wounds. 

There was in my company a man by the name of 

Frank R d, who, for several months, had been 

careless about writing to his mother, who was a 
widow. At last the poor widow's heart could stand 
the suspense no longer, and she wrote to a daughter, 
then living in the State of Indiana, to assist her in 
her efforts to find out what had become of Frank. 
The sister immediately wrote to the Captain of the 
company to learn the fate of her brother. The 
neglect on the part of Frank to write was not for 
lack of affection, but simply because of a careless 
habit. At last Frank was taken sick with a fever, 
and rapidly grew worse. The regiment was pre- 
paring to move from Paducah, Ky., up the Tennes- 
see River, and it became necessary to leave Frank 
in the hospital. Just a few moments before he was 
to be carried off from the boat, his Captain received 
the letter from his sister, inquiring what had become 
of Frank. The Captain carried the letter to him 
and read it, and then said, " Frank, what shall I 
write to your sister ? " 

■ He thought a moment, and then, his eyes filling 
with tears, he said: "Oh, for Grod's sake. Captain, 
do nH tell sister how sick I am! " 

It was affecting indeed to see the heroism with 
which that dear boy suffered, and his affectionate 
and tender regard for his sister; was unwilling that 
she should know the extent of his sufferings lest she 
should worry about him. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 397 

"Brave boy ! he has gone at his country's call." 

The first mail after we left him brought the sad 
intelligence that Frank was dead. 

Wounded soldiers generally manifest a cheerful 
resio'nation to their lot that is astonishino* to those 
who have never witnessed it. Sometimes, however, 
exceptions occur. I often think of an incident that 
I witnessed in which two extremes met. 

After the battle of Matamora, where General 
Hurlbut's command routed General Price's army, on 
its retreat after having been rej)ulsed in its assault 
upon Corinth, I assisted in taking care of the 
wounded as they were brought in. Among the suf- 
ferers on that day was a Captain, with a flesh wound 
in the arm, and a private, with a leg dreadfully 
shattered below the knee. The Captain — -though his 
wound was not of a serious nature — gave w^ay to his 
feelings, and took on dreadfully, and frequently called 
upon the doctor to come and dress his wound or he 
should die. The private, then on the table, prepar- 
atory to an amputation of his limb, was heroically 
cool, and scarce a groan escaped his lips. At length 
his nerves could no longer stand the ridiculous 
clamor of the Captain, and he called out, " Captain, 
if you do n't hush your gab until the doctor gets my 
leg off I '11 throw it at you." 

The soldier endured the operation manfully, and 
the Captain took the hint and "dried up" his noise. 
It is not hard to tell which of the two was the 
bravest man. 

I was once very much amused by the mistake of 
a very old man. It happened in this way. I had 



398 FOUR YEARS 

been sent out on a scout, and was returning to camp, 
when I called at a plantation-house to get breakfast 
for myself and squad. Sitting upon the porch in 
front of the house was a very old man — a secesh — 
engaged in twisting up tobacco. He had a large 
pile of it before him already twisted. He had never 
seen any soldiers from either army. As we came 
up to the porch he kept on at his work, without being 
in the least alarmed at our appearance. We pro- 
cured what breakfast we wanted, and was about to 
leave, when, addressing the old man, I said : " How 
do you do, daddy?" 

" Speak a little louder," said the old man; "I 'm 
hard of hearing." 

^''Hoio do you do, daddy V^ said I again, louder 
than before. 

" Oh, I 'm pretty well, I thank you. I 'm a little 
tired now. I 've got five or six little grandsons down 
in General Villipigue's army, and I heard that they 
were out of tobacco, and I thought I 'd twist up some 
and take down to 'em." 

"Boys," said I to the squad, "if you had rather 
the rebs would have that tobacco than to have it 
yourselves, let it alone." 

At that the boys made a spring for the to- 
bacco. 

" Hut, tut, tut! " said the old man, looking wonder- 
fully surprised; " I guess I was mistaken. I thought 
you were our soldiers ; but I guess, from your actions, 
you are Yankees. ^^ 

On leaving a service that has been fraught with 
as much danger as that of mine has been, it is not 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 399 

improper, perhaps, for me to leave on record the 
conclusions suggested by that experiejice. 

Few, if any, of my cotemporaries who started in 
the business as early as I did are now livino;. I 
know of none that are living who operated in the 
departments where I did, and who commenced when 
I did and continued as late as I did. Of eighteen 
(including myself) that commenced when I did, I 
am the only one that continued through the war. 
Fifteen of that number were killed in less than two 
years, and two were disgraced for bad conduct. 

When I look back upon what I have experienced, 
it seems a wonder to me that my life has been 
spared. Others, whom I thought were my superiors 
in all the necessary qualifications, have sacrificed 
their lives in their line of duty. 

It may be thought by some that a scout is of ne- 
cessity of that hardened, reckless character that is 
insensible to the dangers that surround him ; but that 
is a mistake. It is true that war is hardening to 
the finer sensibilities, but, nevertheless, if a man is 
unconscious of the danger of his undertaking, he is 
not apt to exercise the necessary precautionary meas- 
ures to insure his safety, and, consequently, fails in 
his mission. 

I can now look back and see how I might have 
done better. I commenced the business without 
having had experience, and, consequently, I had all 
to learn as I went along. At first I only ventured 
a short distance out, and thought I had done ex- 
tremely well if I reached camp unharmed. I in- 
creased gradually the extent of my expeditions, until 



400 FOUR YEARS 

I succeeded in making trips of several hundred miles 
in length. 

An adaptation of means to the end to be accom- 
plished is of as much importance in scouting and 
spying, as in any other branch of business. The 
Tery business itself is an evasion of what you really 
are, or assuming to be what you are not ; consequently, 
an evasion of the truth is often necessary to accom- 
plish the purpose. To be successful as a spy, it is 
absolutely necessary to be able to act an assumed 
character. 

The disguise of the individual and his plan of 
operations must be adapted to the particular time 
and place, and his success must depend greatly upon 
his address. Generals have frequently told me, be- 
fore going out, how to address myself to the under- 
taking; but, as it is impossible to know beforehand 
the circumstances under which one will be placed, 
it is necessary that a man be of ready address, in 
order to adapt himself to any unexpected state of 
affairs that he might find. 

Presence of mind, when suddenly and unexpectedly 
confronted, is very essential. When a man in that 
situation is thrown off his guard, his condition can 
rarely be retrieved. 

A man should never lose confidence in his own 
case, nor despair of escape if captured ; if he does, 
his case becomes hopeless. Never but once was I 
in a situation where hope entirely left me, and that 
was when I was about to be shot as a spy by a 
Colonel of Bragg's cavalry ; and even then I did not 
despair until the deadly weapon was being leveled 
at mv heart. 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 401 

A spy should have as little superfluous or un- 
necessary conversation as j^ossible. Plis information 
should mainly bo derived by observation. I once 
came across a spy that Grcneral Grant had sent out, 
who was an inveterate talker. I was alarmed for 
his safety, and, as soon as an oj)portunity occurred, I 
said to him, "You talk too much. General Grant 
pays me for seeing^ and not for talking ^ The fellow 
made fun of my advice. What became of him I do 
not know ; he never returned to our lines. 

Scouts sometimes get frightened ; I have been. 
So do commanding officers and enlisted men. I have 
known a Major-General to dodge at the whiz of a 
bullet, and a whole regiment to become stampeded 
by a runaway mule! The best of men are some- 
times the victims of fear. It should, however, be 
guarded against. 

I made a practice of getting all the information 
that I could, without exposing myself to a danger of 
recognition, concerning the different regiments in 
the Confederate service. It was often of great 
service to me to know where such regiments were 
raised, and who commanded them, and also what 
brigades, divisions, and departments they were in. 
The names and residence of prominent individuals 
were also of great service to me. A knowledge of 
the language and habits of the people, anywhere a 
spy travels, is of great advantage. I have no idea 
that I would have succeeded as I did if I had not 
lived in the South before the war commenced. 

I have been very successful in managing scouting 
and forage parties. I attribute it to the fact that I 
26 



402 FOUR YEARS 

always watched for myself and my men. I liave 
known several officers and their details to get cap- 
tured because of depending entirely on the men to 
do the watching. Men become careless in such 
duties, and a surprise is often the consequence. 

In my travels in the enemy's country, I was very 
particular to observe the features of the country 
through which I passed — whether wooded, cultivated, 
level, or hilly; the condition of the roads — whether 
hard, sandy, or wet; the condition of the streams 
and their location — whether fordable or not, and the 
manner of crossing and the nature of their banks. 
Also, the location of springs and wells, and the sup- 
ply of water that they afford. Such information is 
of great value to a commanding officer. 

There is great responsibility resting uj^on a scout 
and spy. If his reports are reliable, the command- 
in 2: officer knows how to execute his movements sue- 
cessfuUy ; but if his reports are fcilse, and the com- 
manding officer relies upon them as truth, his move- 
ments will, as likely as not, end in disaster^^ with a sac- 
rifice of hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of lives. 

It is far better for a scout, if he fails to accom- 
plish his mission, to report it a failure, for, sooner or 
later, it will be found out. It is mortifying to fail in 
one's mission, but that is of little consequence com- 
pared with jeopardizing a whole army. I have sev- 
eral times failed to accomplish m}^ missions, but my 
reporting of such failures has always tended to in- 
crease the confidence of my employers in my reli- 
ability. 

Having finished my services for the Government, 



A SCOUT AND SPY. 403 

I am once more a citizen, engaged in the pursuits 
of civil life. I have " beaten my sword into a plow- 
share, and my bayonet into a pruning-hook," and 
have become a resident of the "fcir West;" and 
though I "became a changed man," and did not 
take for a better-half " Miss Annie," nevertheless I 
am married and settled in life, and can look back 
with proud satisfaction upon the result of my labors. 
. Now, reader, you have followed me in my humble 
career from the commencement of the war to its close, 
and you are able to judge whether the part that I 
have played is of consequence or not. I do not claim 
that I have always acted wisely ; and if I have erred, 
remember the surrounding circumstances, and then 
judge indulgently. If I have assisted the return of 
peace, by bearing faithfully my part in the burden 
of the war, I have, accomplished the purpose for 
which I enlisted. 

The war is now over. The flag of our country 
again proudly floats over the entire domain. Peace, 
prosperity, and the pursuit of happiness have taken 
the place of deadly strife. In place of cultivating 
the art of war, we are now cultivating commerce 
and friendly intercourse. In a few years the black- 
ened track of contending armies will smile with lux- 
uriant harvests. 

We have the satisfaction of knowing that Ameri- 
can liberty still exists ; that the institutions inau- 
gurated by the hardships and sufferings of our fath- 
ers, baptized with their blood, and consecrated by 
their prayers, are renewed and perpetuated. The 
principles that they struggled to maintain still live. 



404 FOUR YEARS 

The fires of patriotism that were kindled in the 
bosoms and burned in flames of heroic valor at Lex- 
ington, Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and Yorktown still 
burn in the bosoms of their children's children, and 
have burst forth in glorious illuminations of valor 
upon such fields as Donelson, Vicksburg, Antietam, 
Atlanta, and Richmond. 

The heroes of this war have proved themselves 
worthy of their ancestry, and have baptized and con- 
secrated anew their precious inheritance by giving 
of their best blood for its maintenance. 

Never were prayers more devoutly and fervently 
uttered, never was blood more freely spilled, never 
was treasure more extensively lavished, or individual 
sacrifice more cheerfully borne, than in the war from 
which we have just emerged. 

Our children's children will look back upon our 
deeds of valor and sacrifice with the same feelings 
of respect that we cherish for the fathers of the Revo- 
lution, and the institutions which we have perpetu- 
ated will be doubly dear to them for the second 
sacrifice that they have cost. 

Let us then watch carefully the treasures of lib- 
erty, and so use them as to invoke the smiles of 
Almighty God upon our sacred trust. Let us ac- 
knowledge his directing hand, and, by strict integ- 
rity and adherence to the principles of truth, prove 
ourselves worthy of the trust that we have received. 
Then will millions yet unborn rise up and thank the 
God of their fathers that by us our country has been 
saved. 



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